Pompeii discovery casts doubt on date of Vesuvius eruption
An inscription carries the equivalent date of October 17 AD 79, supporting the idea that the eruption occurred a week later rather than on August 23.
Published
New excavations in the ancient buried city of Pompeii have yielded a charcoal inscription apparently dating the eruption of Mount Vesuvius to October of AD 79, two months later than originally thought.
Culture minister Alberto Bonisoli was on hand for the announcement in Pompeii, where earlier this month archaeologists revealed a richly painted garden scene in a home that was unearthed during excavations of a new sector of the vast site.
Mr Bonisoli said the “extraordinary” discovery was important for science, history and art – and for showing off Italian expertise.
