LONDON — The horse, a thoroughbred, was wearing a bronze-plated military saddle and ready to go when Mount Vesuvius erupted and buried the ancient city of Pompeii in A.D. 79. The horse, too, was covered in pumice and ash. The horses are among a growing list of archaeological treasures dug up at the Pompeii site, discovered in the late 16th century. The horses probably perished soon after the volcanic explosion, with their frozen postures suggesting they had been unable to wrest free. The saddled horse and its elaborate harness were discovered over the summer, the archaeological park statement said.

Source: New York Times December 26, 2018 15:48 UTC