Archeologists at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii have discovered two 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, likely used during home renovations. The woman was found on a bed with valuable coins and jewelry, indicating they may have been trying to hide from the falling pumice during the eruption. The room’s seal caused the pair to be crushed from the volcano’s pyroclastic flow.
The discovery was made in an area of Pompeii known as Insula 10 of Regio IX, which has yielded multiple new findings in recent months. In addition to the skeletons, the park also discovered the “Blue Shrine” room nearby, believed to be a sacrarium for ritual activities and sacred objects. The room featured rare pale blue frescoes and objects related to the household’s furnishings and renovations.
In previous excavations, intact Roman frescoes depicting Greek figures, including Helen of Troy, were found in a dining room. The artworks showcased themes of heroism, fate, and the idea of humans changing their own destiny.
These discoveries are part of ongoing efforts to maintain and preserve the Pompeii site. The valuable anthropological data recovered from these findings provides insights into the daily life of ancient Pompeiians and their micro-histories.
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