Two new Pompeii victims discovered and scientists are amazed at what they’re holding
Scientists have been able to reconstruct the panicked last moments of a man and a woman after their skeletons were discovered in the ruins of Pompeii.
The pair’s ash-covered bodies were found ‘trapped’ in a room on the ancient site of the Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD. It is believed they were trying to take shelter when they died.
Next to the women’s skeleton, archaeologists discovered a “hoard of valuable items” including fashionable gold and pearl earrings and a collection of gold, silver and bronze coins.
READ MORE: New paintings discovered in ancient city Pompeii 2,000 years after Vesuvius erupted
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Researchers say it suggests the woman, who was between 35 and 45 years-old, may have quickly collected up her prized possessions in the hope of rescuing them from the disaster.
(Image: Parco Archeologico di Pompei)
Around the woman’s body archaeologists also discovered a set of iron keys, which may have been used to open a nearby chest.
The pair were discovered during excavations of a Pompeii city block known as Regio IX and died in a room known as “Area 33”.
The woman was found lying on a bed in the fetal position, while the man, who was around 20, ended up in a crumpled heap beneath a collapsed wall.
Researchers believe they may have entered the room trying to find shelter from the rain of volcanic pumice stone outside. As the doors to the room were closed, no pumice got into the room but the pair became trapped as it filled the adjoining rooms.
(Image: Parco Archeologico di Pompei)
According to the authors, the earrings were of the “crotalia” (meaning “rattle”) style, named for the noise produced by the pearls clanging into one another.
She also had a pendant in the form of an amulet that may have been used for protection during childbirth.
Researchers say the pair probably died in the pyroclastic flow, a rapid current of hot gas and volcanic matter, as there was a few centimeters of ash on the floor of the room. They also believe this deadly torrent caused the collapse of the wall, killing the man.
The study authors believe the woman probably lived for a little longer than the man and may have laid down on the bed waiting to be killed.
(Image: Parco Archeologico di Pompei)
To reconstruct the space, the researchers poured plaster into the hollows left in the ash to create casts of some of the wooden furniture that was in the room. They were able to identify a bed, an overturned stool, and a wooden table with a marble top.
The pair are set to feature in an episode of BBC series Pompeii: The New Dig. A new episode, set to air early next year, will focus on this latest discovery, providing further insights into the lives of these ancient victims, reports the Daily Express.
Richard Bradley, chief creative officer at Lion TV, said: “It was a poignant scene. For the archaeologists and for our filming team, no matter how often they confront this sort of thing, there is no getting away from the fact that these were real people who died in a terrible tragedy.
“For our crew, it was profoundly moving. You are coming face-to-face with them and you are aware of your common humanity. The pearl earrings are beautiful, and it is rare to find people with gold coins in Pompeii.”
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