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Petrified horse remains found near Pompeii
Archaeologists hope to allow public access to the villa and petrified horses. Buried in volcanic ash in 79 AD, the remains at Pompeii capture the last moments of life in the Roman city.
Italian archaeologists have unearthed the petrified remains of a harnessed and saddled horse in the stable of an ancient villa outside Pompeii.
Lead archaeologist Massimo Osanna told Italian news agency ANSA that the horse likely belonged to a general or a high-ranking military officer.
Read more: Mythical sex scene fresco discovered in Pompeii
Osanna said that the remains of two or three other horses were also found.
The horse was found with decorated bronze ornaments
The news agency speculated that the horse may have been prepared to allow the military officer to escape or run to the rescue of citizens when the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius destroyed Pompeii, near present-day Naples, in 79 A.D.
Read more: Street of balconies discovered in Italy's Pompeii
The eruption buried the once prosperous city in ash and rock, preserving buildings and even the petrified bodies of people in their final moments.
A cast of a victim from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii
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- Date 23.12.2018
- Author Chase Winter
- Related Subjects Archaeology
- Keywords Pompeii, archaeology, horses
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- Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3AZvO
