Archaeologists have revealed two new victims of the earthquake in Pompeii

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CNN –

Archaeologists working in Pompeii have found two new victims who they say were killed by the earthquake that accompanied the volcanic eruption in AD 79.

The Italian city may be more associated with the devastation caused by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, but these two men were actually killed by walls pulled down by a simultaneous earthquake, according to the official Pompeii archaeological site.

“Part of the south wall of the chamber collapsed, crushing one of the men whose arm raised a tragic image of his vain attempt to protect himself from the falling masonry,” read a press release issued on Tuesday.

“The conditions of the western wall show the tremendous force of the earthquakes that occurred at the same time as the eruption: the entire upper part detached and fell into the chamber, crushing and burying the other person,” he continues.

The couple, who are at least 55 years old, were found during excavations of the Insula of the House of Chaste Lovers while working to improve the building’s safety.

They were found lying in the utility room where they had taken refuge, and killed by multiple shocks as parts of the building collapsed.

Archaeologists discovered organic matter, which they believe to be a bundle of cloth, as well as glass paste believed to be necklace beads and six coins. The team also found an amphora leaning against a wall and a number of bowls, bowls and jugs.

In an adjacent room, archaeologists have found a stone kitchen counter covered with lime powder, which they say indicates that construction work was being carried out nearby at the time of the eruption.

The Italian Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sanguliano, said in the statement that this discovery “shows how much remains to be discovered about the terrible eruption that took place in AD 79 and confirms the need for continued scientific research and excavations.”

He added, “Pompeii is an enormous archaeological laboratory that has regained strength in recent years, astonishing the world with the continuous discoveries that have been brought to light and demonstrating Italian excellence in this sector.”

Details of the excavations have been published in the E-Journal of Pompeii.

The Roman city of Pompeii was buried under meters of pumice and ash in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

Archaeologists have unearthed about two-thirds of the 66-hectare (163-acre) site since excavations began 250 years ago, Reuters reports.

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