In AD 79, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius sent a fast-moving cloud of boiling vapours down the mountainside and through the city of Pompeii. Thousands were killed instantly, and the event has become one of the most famous eruptions in history.
Now, nearly two thousand years later, two incredibly intact bodies of who are believed to be a master and his servant have been discovered in a villa just outside the ancient Roman city.
The younger man is thought to have been between the age of 18 and 25, while his master is thought to be between the age of 30 and 40.
Archaeologists judged that the younger man was probably a manual labourer due to evidence suggesting that hisspinal column had two compressed discs, suggesting a short but hard life of heavy lifting.
Using new techniques, archaeologists working at thePompeii archaeological park plan to carry out further excavations in the area over the coming years.
With the death toll unknown, there could be many more remains awaiting discovery in this area. This latest project is just one of the many excavations that have taken place since the discovery of the ruins in the 16th Century.
![ITALIA-POMPEYA CADAVERES ANTIGUOS, Pompeii, Italy - 19 Nov 2020 Mandatory Credit: Photo by Uncredited/AP/Shutterstock (11027342a) Los moldes de yeso de lo que se cree eran un hombre rico y su esclavo que huían de la erupción del volcán Vesuvio hace casi 2.000 años se ven en lo que era una finca elegante en las afueras de la antigua ciudad romana de Pompeya, destruida por la erupción de 79 d.C. Excavaciones recientes los sacaron a la luz, dijeron autoridades del parque arqueológico el sábado 21 de noviembre de 2020 ITALIA-POMPEYA CADAVERES ANTIGUOS, Pompeii, Italy - 19 Nov 2020](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2020/11/shutterstock_editorial_11027342a-89c2066.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
![Ancient Bodies, Pompeii, Italy - 19 Nov 2020 Detail of the casts of one of two bodies that are believed to have been a rich man and his male slave fleeing the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago, are seen in what was an elegant villa on the outskirts of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii destroyed by the eruption in 79 A.D., where they were discovered during recents excavations.](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2020/11/shutterstock_editorial_11027259h-b0786d5.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
![Pompeii returns the integral bodies of two fugitives, Italy - 21 Nov 2020](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2020/11/shutterstock_editorial_11026915i-83b8c23.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
![Pompeii returns the integral bodies of two fugitives, Italy - 21 Nov 2020](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2020/11/shutterstock_editorial_11026915g-d344d16.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)
![Italy Continues The Easing Of The Lockdown For The Covid-19 Pandemic NAPLES, ITALY - MAY 26: General view of the deserted Forum on the day of the reopening of the Pompeii Archaeological Park on May 26, 2020 in Pompeii, Italy. Many Italian businesses have been allowed to reopen, after more than two months of a nationwide lockdown meant to curb the spread of Covid-19. (Photo by Ivan Romano/Getty Images)](https://c02.purpledshub.com/uploads/sites/41/2020/11/GettyImages-1227203398-cd84795.jpg?webp=1&w=1200)