The discovery of two skeletons at the doomed ancient site of Pompeii has enabled researchers to reconstruct the panicked final moments of those who perished during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE. Identified as a young man and a middle-aged woman, the cursed pair appear to have become trapped in a room in which they sought shelter, before being obliterated by a fast-moving current of scorching volcanic gasses. 

Alongside the female corpse, archaeologists discovered a hoard of valuable items including precious earrings and a collection of coins, suggesting the woman may have made a dash for her prized possessions in the hope of rescuing them from the impending disaster. In the end, she only succeeded in taking her material wealth with her to the afterlife.

The duo were discovered during excavations of a Pompeii city block known as Regio IX and met their end in a room designated "Area 33". The woman, who was between 35 and 45 years of age, was found lying on a bed in the fetal position, while the young male – thought to be no older than 20 – ended up in a crumpled heap beneath a collapsed wall.

Because the room was not invaded with pumice, the researchers suspect that the pair may have entered in search of refuge from the rain of lava that battered Pompeii’s open spaces in the aftermath of the eruption. However, as the adjacent room filled with pumice, the two individuals ultimately became trapped.

The presence of a few centimeters of ash on the floor suggests that they probably died as a result of a pyroclastic flow, which is a rapid current of hot gas and volcanic matter. Describing the scene in a new study, the researchers suggest that this deadly torrent probably caused the collapse of the wall, resulting in the death of the young man.

As for the older woman, the study authors believe she probably lived for a short while longer and may have laid down on the bed in resignation as she waited for death. Exactly how much longer she lasted is unclear, but you can be pretty sure her drawn-out final moments were not pleasant.

Around the woman’s body, archaeologists discovered a set of iron keys, which may have been associated with a chest located nearby. She was also in possession of a collection of gold, silver, and bronze coins, as well as gold and pearl earrings.

According to the authors, the earrings were of the "crotalia" (meaning "rattle") style, named for the noise produced by the pearls clanging into one another. Among the woman’s other jewels was a pendant in the form of an amulet that may have been intended to bring protection during childbirth.

Based on this discovery, the researchers suspect that the woman intended to escape with her treasures, but tragically failed to get out of Area 33.

To reconstruct the space itself, the authors poured plaster into the hollows left in the ash, resulting in casts of some of the wooden furniture that once graced the room. In doing so, they were able to identify the ghostly footprints of a bed, an overturned stool, and a wooden table with a marble top.

The study is published in the E-Journal of the Excavations of Pompeii.