Archaeologists Use AI to Reconstruct Face of Pompeii Victim from AD 79 Eruption

Archaeologists at the ancient Roman site of Pompeii used artificial intelligence for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face of a victim of the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The digital portrait represents an older man who was among two victims discovered as they attempted to flee the city toward the coast of what is now Italy during the AD 79 volcanic eruption.

Researchers believe the man died earlier in the AD 79 disaster during a heavy fall of volcanic debris.

The reconstruction was developed by the Pompeii Archaeological Park in collaboration with the University of Padua. The reconstruction is based on archaeological survey data from excavations near the Porta Stabia necropolis just outside the walls of the ancient city. Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage site near Naples.

Pompeii was buried under ash and pumice when Mount Vesuvius erupted nearly 2,000 years ago. The eruption preserved the city and thousands of its inhabitants in remarkable detail. Archaeologists found the victim holding a terracotta mortar.

Archaeologists interpret the terracotta mortar as an improvised attempt to shield the victim's head from falling lapilli during the AD 79 eruption. Lapilli are small volcanic stones that rained down during the AD 79 eruption. The man was carrying an oil lamp, a small iron ring, and 10 bronze coins.

The victim was discovered near the city gates. Ancient accounts, including those of Roman writer Pliny the Younger, describe residents using objects to protect themselves as ash and debris blanketed the city.