Pompeii, remains of two more victims of the eruption unearthed, along with gold coins and jewelry

Recent excavations in the area of Regio IX, Insula 10 in Pompeii have uncovered the remains of two victims of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD: a man and a woman. The discovery, described in an initial scientific overview published in the E-Journal of the Pompeii excavations, highlights the dramatic end of these people, who were trapped in a small room temporarily used as a cubicle (bedroom) during renovation work on the house.

The woman was found on the bed, with a small treasure of gold, silver and bronze coins, as well as precious jewelry including gold earrings and pearls. The compartment in which they were found, located behind the Blue Shrine and accessible from the large ornate II-style hall, remained clear of pumice thanks to the closed doorframe. However, the accumulation of pumice in the adjacent hall blocked the door opening, thus trapping the victims. Death came with the arrival of the pyroclastic flows.

Footprints in the ash made it possible to reconstruct the room’s furnishings, which included a bed, a chest, a bronze candelabra, and a marble-topped table, with bronze, glass, and ceramic furnishings still in place.

This find is part of a larger excavation project aimed at ensuring the safety and security of Pompeii’s excavation fronts. In recent years, the approach has been geared toward the restoration, preservation and accessibility of the archaeological heritage, with a focus on hydrogeological stability.

“The opportunity to analyze the invaluable anthropological data related to the two victims found within the archaeological context that marked their tragic end allows us to recover a considerable amount of data on the daily life of ancient Pompeians and the micro histories of some of them, with precise and timely documentation, confirming the uniqueness of the Vesuvian territory,” said Park Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel. “A work that sees the collaboration between archaeologists, anthropologists and volcanologists engaged in the reconstruction of the last moments of life of men, women and children who perished during one of the greatest natural disasters of antiquity. Pompeii remains a major research and restoration site, but in the coming years we expect important developments in archaeological excavations and enhancement from the territory as well, thanks in part to the Cipess investments announced in recent days by Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano.”

Pompeii, remains of two more victims of the eruption unearthed, along with gold coins and jewelry

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