🏺The Horse of Pompeii's Last Day🐴🌋

 🏺The Horse of Pompeii's Last Day🐴🌋

🏺 Archaeologists made a remarkable discovery near Pompeii: the first-ever intact plaster cast of a horse, unearthed in the ruins of a Roman villa's stable at Civita Giuliana, just north of the ancient city. This find offers a poignant glimpse into the final moments of both humans and animals during Mount Vesuvius's catastrophic eruption in AD 79.

 🏺The horse was found lying on its left side, preserved in the hardened volcanic ash that engulfed the region nearly 2,000 years ago. Archaeologists employed a technique pioneered in the 19th century by Giuseppe Fiorelli, injecting liquid plaster into the void left by the decomposed body to recreate its form. This method, traditionally used for human victims, had rarely been applied to animals, making this discovery particularly significant. 

 🏺 Measuring approximately 1.5 meters at the withers, the horse was notably large for its time, suggesting it belonged to a noble breed. Evidence of an iron and bronze harness found near its skull indicates the animal was of considerable value, possibly used for ceremonial purposes or owned by a wealthy Roman.

🏺 The excavation also revealed the remains of two other horses in the same stable, though their preservation was compromised by illegal tunneling activities in the area. These findings underscore the urgency of protecting archaeological sites from looting, which can destroy invaluable historical evidence. 

This discovery not only enriches our understanding of Roman life but also serves as a somber reminder of the sudden devastation wrought by natural disasters. The preserved form of the horse, captured in its final moments, offers a tangible connection to the past

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