Two Pompeii Eruption Victims Found with Coins and Jewels (9 Photos + 2 Videos)

Almost 2,000 years after the eruption of Vesuvius, scientists have discovered the remains of a man and woman in Pompeii. On that fateful day, the couple gathered their riches and hid in a bedroom.





Archaeologists believe that this villa, located at Regio IX, Insula 10, belonged to a politician named Aulus Rustius Verus.

The house had a bakery and a laundry, so the family was well-off.



At the time of the eruption, a man and a woman took refuge in a small room, waiting out the rain of ash and rock debris. Among the furniture were a stool, a chest, a table with a marble top, and a bronze candelabra.





Gold, silver and bronze coins, as well as pearl earrings and other jewelry were found near the woman.



Richard Bradley, creative director at Lion TV, which is filming the BBC's Pompeii: The New Digs, said: "For archaeologists and our crew, no matter how often they deal with this kind of thing, it's hard to ignore the fact that these were real people who died in a terrible tragedy."

He added that the woman's jewellery was special: "The pearl earrings are very beautiful and gold coins are rare to find in Pompeii."





The homeowners were unable to escape because the lava blocked the door. Scientists believe the captives died from overheating and inhalation of toxic gases.

An analysis of their bones should provide more detailed information.

Archaeological Park Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said: "The analysis of the invaluable anthropological data will provide important information about the daily life of the ancient inhabitants of Pompeii."