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. 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. 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. According to the authors, the earrings were of the "crotalia" (meaning "rattle") style, named for the noise produced by the pearls clanging into one anoth.