A group of archaeologists investigating Pompeii have discovered new remains of two victims of a volcanic eruption from almost 2,000 years ago. Along with the skeletons of a woman and a man, they found ancient jewelry.
The remains were found during recent excavations in the Ninth Region of Pompeii. Previous discoveries included a bakery, a house under renovation, and rooms decorated with small drawings. The skeletons were found in the bedroom of one of the houses.
The woman was found lying on the bed. Around her were many ancient jewelry, including earrings and gold, silver and bronze coins. The man was lying at the foot of the bed.
Jewelry found with the remains PAP/EPA/ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF POMPEII / HANDOUT
Trapped in the middle
Archaeologists believe the couple sought shelter from the volcanic eruption in a small bedroom of their home.
“The room was chosen as a refuge by two people. They waited there for the end of the pumice fall, which gradually filled the open spaces in the rest of their home for many hours,” the archaeologists said in a statement.
The volcanic material did not enter the bedroom, but the couple was trapped inside. Experts say the victims died from being buried.
Remains discovered in PompeiiPAP/EPA/ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF POMPEII / HANDOUT
Archaeologists discover new remains in PompeiiARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF POMPEII
Fewer and fewer secrets
Researchers emphasize that such discoveries provide key information about the inhabitants of ancient Pompeii, allowing expert teams to reconstruct the last moments of their lives before the catastrophe.
Pompeii had about 20,000 inhabitants when in 79 AD the city was buried in ash and lava following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Main image source: PAP/EPA/ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK OF POMPEII / HANDOUT