Petrified remains of harnessed horse unearthed in ancient stable near Pompeii
![Italy Pompeii Discovery](https://img.apmcdn.org/709c2827d1240c9d6c5200c603ef42bd057d3654/normal/5f7031-20181223-pompeii01.jpg)
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Archaeologists have unearthed the petrified remains of a harnessed horse and saddle in the stable of an ancient villa in a Pompeii suburb.
Pompeii archaeological park head Massimo Osanna told Italian news agency ANSA that the villa belonged to a high-ranking military officer, perhaps a general, during ancient Roman times.
Osanna was quoted on Sunday as saying the remains of two or three other horses were also discovered.
![Italy Pompeii Discovery](https://img.apmcdn.org/cea21565f5ec4fa8a0f16611ab1688719608603a/normal/c62437-20181223-pompeii02.jpg)
The villa's terraces had views of the Bay of Naples and Capri island. The area was previously excavated, during the early 1900s, but later re-buried.
The volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius destroyed flourishing Pompeii, near present-day Naples, in 79 A.D.
Osanna said suffocating volcanic ash or boiling vapors killed the horses. He said he hopes the villa eventually will be open for public visits.
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