Archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a horse that died in the volcanic eruption at Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago.

The "extraordinary discovery" came after police were alerted to illegal excavations by a group of tomb raiders near the ancient Italian city, the Archaeological Park of Pompeii said.

A plaster cast was made of the animal, which still had its bronze and iron harness on.

Image: The horse died nearly 2,000 years ago

The remains were found in a stable in a villa outside the walls of the city, north of the Pompeii archaeological park, in an area called Civita Giuliana.

The horse appears to be surprisingly big, and probably belonged to a wealthy family, experts said.


The city of Pompeii was completely buried in ash in AD79 by a volcanic eruption from nearby Mount Vesuvius.

It was not uncovered until the 18th Century and it was made a World Heritage site in 1997.