News

Pompeii skeleton belonging to the unluckiest man in history has become a meme

Picture:
Picture:
Ciro Fusco/EPA

If you consider yourself unlucky, these newly uncovered remains will probably make you feel a lot better about yourself.

Officials at the Pompeii archaeological site have recently unearthed the skeleton of a man who was squashed by an enormous stone block during a desperate escape from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

This iconic volcanic eruption pummelled the Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum with ash. The exact death toll is still unknown, but archaeologists have discovered the remains of at least 1,500 people in and around the two towns.

Archaeologists believe that the squashed skeleton belongs to a man in his thirties who attempted to hide from the shower of volcanic debris. The body was discovered at first-story level, suggesting that a thick layer of ash had already fallen when the stone block was thrown by the volcanic burst.

Inevitably, the Internet has seen the funny side of the image, which has become the latest meme to take over Twitter.

TB: IFL Science

More: This girl's father became a meme for the worst reason

The Conversation (0)
x