Archeologists at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii have discovered two new victims of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The skeletons of a man and a woman were found in a temporary bedroom where they appeared to have sought refuge from the falling pumice during the eruption. The room’s seal caused the pair to be crushed by the volcano’s pyroclastic flow. The woman was found on a bed wearing gold, silver, and bronze coins along with various pieces of jewelry. The discovery of these victims provides valuable anthropological data on the daily life of ancient Pompeiians.
The skeletons were found in an area of Pompeii known as Insula 10 of Regio IX, which has recently yielded multiple new discoveries. In June, a room known as the “Blue Shrine” was found near where the skeletons were located, believed to be a shrine for ritual activities and sacred objects. This room featured rare pale blue frescoes and objects related to the house’s furnishing and renovation.
Earlier excavations in the same area revealed intact Roman frescoes in a dining room, depicting figures from Greek mythology such as Helen of Troy and themes of heroism, fate, and destiny. These discoveries are part of an ongoing project to preserve and maintain the Pompeii site. The excavations offer insights into the lives, beliefs, and cultural practices of the ancient Pompeiians who tragically perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
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