‘Sensational’: skeleton buried in Vesuvius eruption found at Herculaneum

Archaeologists find remains of fugitive during first dig at site near Pompeii in almost three decades

The partially mutilated remains of a man buried by the AD79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius at Herculaneum, the ancient Roman town close to Pompeii, have been discovered in what Italy's culture minister described as a sensational" find.

Archaeologists said the man, believed to have been aged between 40 and 45, was killed just steps away from the sea as he tried to flee the eruption.