Remains of ‘man and his slave’ fleeing Vesuvius eruption unearthed at Pompeii

The casts of one of two bodies in what was an elegant villa on the outskirts of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii (Parco Archeologico di Pompei via AP)

The skeletal remains of what are believed to have been a rich man and his slave fleeing the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago have been discovered in Pompeii, officials at the archaeological park said.

The partial skeletons were found during excavation of an elegant villa on the outskirts of the ancient Roman city that was destroyed by the eruption in 79AD.