Volcanic damage excavated in Pompeii

Archaeologists working on excavations near the ancient city of Pompeii found the remains of two men trying to escape the Vesuvius eruption in 79 BC. It allows you to see the damage to the people living around you when the Vesuvius volcano erupted 2,000 years ago.

The eruption occurred in two stages, and a large amount of pumice and volcanic ash was poured first. While the hellish rain lasted for 18 to 20 hours, residents of neighboring cities and villages searched for a place to evacuate from falling pumice stones. When the eruption stopped, he tried to escape the volcanic ash-filled area before it was too late, but the worst was still waiting.

One hour after the end of the first stage, Vesuvius volcano caused a landslide that poured out ultra-high temperature volcanic ash, lava, volcanoes, and gas at high speed, and poured it into nearby areas such as Pompeii. The fires headed for the village, and high-temperature volcanic ash buried the building and the people around it alive. Because of this, people left the moment of death intact and archaeologists were able to study the eruption victims in detail.

This new discovery captures the end of two men who evacuated indoors, but were forced to be swallowed by firearms with enough ashes. It was found under a layer of volcanic ash close to 2m.

The excavation site is a large, luxurious suburban residential area 700m northeast of Pompeii. When the mansion, which once had beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea, was investigated in 2018, saddles, harnesses and horse remains containing copper were found. The bodies of two men were unearthed in a room leading upstairs close to the corridor.

This room was only 2.2m wide, and the floor was wooden. After the Vesuvius volcano entered the second phase, the room was swallowed up with the hot ash that flowed. Scholars put plaster in the groove to create a plaster statue that can show lifelike traces of hands, faces, and even clothing. The first victim is 18 to 25 years old and is 156 cm tall and appears to be a slave because of the pressure on the spine, which is a sign of physical labor. When he died, he was wearing wool. The second victim is from a wealthy family, with arms bent, chest on hand, and knees bent. He is 30-40 years old, 162cm tall, and wore a tunic and a woolen cloak.

In Pompeii and surrounding areas, archaeologically important discoveries continue to this day. Related information can be found here .