Ancient skeleton found at Herculaneum believed to be volcano rescuer

[Still Waters]

Archaeologists in Italy believe they have identified the body of a rescuer killed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago.

The skeleton, originally thought to be an ordinary soldier, was among some 300 found at Herculaneum in the 1980s.

It is now thought he may have been a senior officer in the rescue mission launched by historian and naval commander Pliny the Elder.

Herculaneum and the nearby city of Pompeii were engulfed by the eruption.

The man's remains were found face-down in the sand at the site to the north of Pompeii around 40 years ago.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-57055163