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.
