Archaeologists discovered the remains of two men killed during the eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in Pompeii (Italy)
almost 2,000 years ago
, in Roman times, authorities announced this Saturday.
Both were buried until now under the ashes caused by the explosion.
A particular technique invented in the 19th century made it possible to create plaster casts that represent the two
at the time of death
and reconstruct that it was a rich man and his slave.
[The last victim of the volcano that destroyed the city of Pompeii is a child. He died shrunken in the bathroom]
The bodies were found during an excavation of the ruins of what was an elegant estate with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea on the outskirts of the ancient Roman city, destroyed by an eruption in AD 79 Bones and parts of the skulls of those two.
In the same area, the remains of three harnessed horses were unearthed three years ago.
The remains of the two victims, who
lie on their backs very close to each other
, appeared in a layer of gray ash at least two meters deep.
After analyzing and removing most of it, the archaeologists poured liquid chalk into the cavities left by the bodies as they rotted in the ash and pumice that rushed from the volcano near present-day Naples and demolished the upper levels of the estate.
Officials at the Pompeii archaeological park said the two men were apparently saved from the initial ashfall from Vesuvius, but
were struck by a powerful volcanic explosion the next day
.
["I don't want to pass the curse on to my family." Some tourists return historical objects stolen in Pompeii to whom they blame their misfortune]
The second explosion "apparently invaded the area from many directions, surrounding and burying the victims in ash," they said in a statement.
The technique used to create the plaster casts not only gives the image and the position of the victims in their agony, but the remains "look like sculptures," said archaeologist Massimo Osanna, general director of the park, under the Italian Ministry of Culture.
Judging by the cranial bones and teeth, one of the men, aged between 18 and 25, had compressed discs in his spine,
hence the hypothesis that he was doing manual labor, like a slave
.
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The other man had robust bone structure and
died with his hands on his chest and his legs bent and spread apart
.
He was estimated to be between 30 and 40 years old, officials said.
Fragments of white paint found near his face were likely remnants of a collapsed wall.
The two skeletons were found in a side room next to an underground corridor, known in ancient times as a cryptoportico, that led to the upper level of the estate.
"The victims were probably seeking refuge in the cryptoportico, the underground space where they believed they were protected," Ossana said.
But on the morning of October 25, AD 79,
a "fiery cloud [of volcanic material] fell over Pompeii and killed anyone in its path
.
"
said Ossana.
Based on the impression of the fabrics on the ash cloak, it appears that the youngest was wearing a short, pleated tunic, possibly of wool.
The elder, in addition to the tunic, apparently wore a cloak over his left shoulder.
Vesuvius is an active volcano.
Although excavations continue, tourist access to the archaeological zone has been prohibited due to COVID-19.
With information from The Associated Press.