Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-06-19
The Dead of Pompeii Exhumed.

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Interesting particulars of the recent re-
searches in the buried city of Pompeii are
given by correspondent of the London
Atheneum, who says that human bodies
were found in an excavation near the house
called that of Abbondanza. Falling in a
mass of pumice stone, these unfortunate
persons had not become attached to the soil,
and it was easy TO cut away the ground be-
meath them; but above, fire, ashes and hot
water had been rained upon them from the
fiery mountain, causing their death, and
insuring their preservation for nearly two
thousand years. On removing the debris,
which consisted of the roof and ashes which
had fallen into the interior of the house.
something like human form was discovered
though nothing but fine powder was visable.
1t occurred TO Cavalier Elorelli that this
might be kind Of sarcophagus created by
Vesuvius, and that within were the remains
of that terrible eruption. But how to re-
move or preserve them? A happy idea
struck him. Plaster Of Paris was poured
into an aperture, the interior having been
discovered to be hollow in consequence of
the obstruction of the flesh, and mixing and
uniting with the bones, restored to the
world Roman lady of the first century.
Further researches led to the discovery
of male body, another woman, and that
of young girl, but that which first awak-
ened the interest of the excavaors was the
finding of ninety cut pieces of silver money,
| four earrings, finger-ring, all of gold,
| together with two iron keys, and evident
remains of linen bag. These interesting
| relies have been now successfully removed,
and are lying in a house not far distant.
They are to be preserved in Pompeii, and
| four bronze tables, of an antique fashion,
are preparing for their reception.
The first body discovered was that Of a
woman, who lay on her right side, and
from the twisted position of her body had
been much convuised. Her left hand and
arm were raised and contorted, and the
knuckles were in tightly; the right arm
was broken, and at each end of the frag.
ments the cellalar character of the bones
was seen. The form of the head dres;
and the hair were distinctly visible. Or
the bone of the little finger Of the left hand
were two silver rings, one of which was 8
guard. The sandals remain or the sofes al
least, and iron or nails are unmistakably
to be seen. Though the body was much
bent, the legs were extended as if under
the influence of extreme pain.
In an inner chamber was found the figure
Of the young girl lying on its face, resting
on its casped hands aud arms; the leg:
drawn up, the lett lying over the right
the body thiny covered in some parts by
the scoriae or the plaster, whilst the skull
was visible and highly polished. One hand
was partially closed, as if it had grasped
something, probably her dress, with which
it had covered the body. The finger bones
, protruded through TIE incrusted ashes, anC
on the surIace of the body in various part
was distinctly visible, the web Of the linel
with which it had been covered. Their
, was lying by the side of the child ful
, grown woman. The left leg slightly eleva
ted whilst the right arm is broken but th
left, which is bent, is perfect, and the hant
is closed. The little finger has an irol
f ring; the left ear, which is uppermost, i
very conspicuous and stands off from til,
head. The folds of the drapery, the yer.
web remain, aud nice observer nigh
, detect the quality of the dress.
The body of man lay upon its back
with the legs stretched out to their ful
length. There was an iron ring on the lit
: tie finger of the left hand which, togethe
with the arm. was supported by the elbov
|, The folds of the dress on the arm and owe
; the whole upper part of the body wer
9 visible the sandals were there, and tn
: bones of one foot protruded what migh
l have been a broken sandal. The traces G
the head and beard were there; and til
7 breath Of life, and the writer. had only I
: be inspired into this and the three othe
r figures to restore TO the world of the nine
7 teenth century the Romans of the first cen
a tury. They might have fallen but yester
8 day, for were there not still remaining thei
2 sandals, their dress, the very tracery of thei
hair ]? They were trying TO escape fror
destruction, for the bodies we're found at
S short distance from the other, as if in tn
act of running. What could have induce
them 10 remain SO long it is only permitted ,
imagine. They were three women, VIII
8 terror-struck. had been unable, perhaps
leave until aided and urged forward by th
man. 1t may be with that attachmer
which binds us all too closely to our naiiv
place and hearth, they still clnng to thei
: homes with the hope that the storm woul
soon pass away.