Two more skeletons have been found in the ruins of Pompeii — the ancient Roman city wiped out by a Mount Vesuvius eruption nearly 2,000 years ago — the Italian Culture Ministry has said.
The remains are believed to be of two men in their mid-50s, who died in an earthquake that accompanied the volcano eruption in 79AD, a ministry statement said.
They were found in the excavation site known as Casti Amanti, or "House of Chaste Lovers", which takes its name from a wall painting found within the property of a couple in a gentle embrace.
Pompeii Archaeological Park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said the two men were killed by the collapsing building, noting that wall fragments were found between their fractured bones.
"In recent years, we have realised there were violent, powerful seismic events that were happening at the time of the eruptions," he said.
"Modern excavation techniques help us to better understand the inferno that completely destroyed the city of Pompeii over two days, killing many inhabitants."
Mr Zuchtriegel said the recent discovery was a reminder of the "human dimension" of the tragedy.
"One of the archaeologists, gesturing towards the victims they were excavating, uttered a phrase that remains ingrained in my memory and, arguably, encapsulates the history of Pompeii, when he stated, 'This is who we are'," he said.
The ancient city of Pompeii — located near the southern Italian city of Naples — was home to about 13,000 people when the eruption struck with more force than an atomic bomb, burying it in volcanic ash and pumice.
Archaeologists have recovered the remains of more than 1,300 Pompeii victims over the past 250 years, estimating the event killed at least 15 per cent of residents.
Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano said conservation and archaeological research efforts would continue.
"The discovery of these two skeletons shows us that we still need to study a lot, do more excavations to bring out everything that is still [hiding] in this immense treasure," Mr Sangiuliano said.
The Pompeii site — which was discovered in the 16th century — has seen a recent burst of archaeological activity, with the help of a 105 million euro ($171 million), EU-funded project.
Reuters/ABC/AP
