An excavation in Pompeii has unearthed a stable containing the remains of an ancient racehorse.
Pompeii officials displayed a cast of the horse, which appeared to have been lying on its left flank when it died.
Naples daily Il Mattino quoted archaeologist Greta Stefani as saying the shape of the horse was represented by a vacuum, created by the decay of organic material.
Pompeii director Mᴀssimo Osanna said the animal was a thoroughbred likely to have been used for races, not farm work.
Parts of the sprawling city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in the year 79AD await excavation.
The horse appears to be surprisingly big, and probably belonged to a wealthy family.
The stable belonged to a villa on Pompeii’s northern outskirts.
