Ancient skeletons belonging to residents of Pompeii seeking shelter from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius have been unearthed in Italy.

The bones, from A.D. 79, were discovered during a new excavation of the ancient buried city.

The skeletons were intact and undisturbed, despite widespread looting of the area centuries ago, site director Massimo Osanna, told Italian news service ANSA.

The remains, believed to be those of two woman and three children, were found inside a house containing a charcoal inscription dating back to the time of the massive eruption. 

The dig's archaeologists theorize the group sought safety in a small room, but were either crushed or burned to death in the chaos.

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