An AI-generated image released Monday by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii shows a man crouching for cover while holding a large bowl over his head, with Mount Vesuvius erupting in the background.
The image is based on the recent discovery of the remains of an adult male, just outside one of the city's southern gates, lying next to a terracotta mortar he likely used for protection.
Archaeologists believe the man was killed by a "shower" of volcanic stones in the early hours of the second day of the eruption while trying to flee toward the sea. He was also carrying a lamp and 10 bronze coins, the park said.
"For the first time, we proposed a scientific reconstruction together with the University of Padua using artificial intelligence. I believe this is a tool that will become increasingly important in the future, not only for processing the vast amount of data emerging from Pompeii and other sites, for protecting such fragile and extensive heritage as the city of Pompeii, but also for presenting this complex and rich heritage to an increasingly diverse audience," said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
Once a thriving city, Pompeii, located about 25 kilometers southeast of Naples, was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, preserving buildings, objects, and graffiti under meters of ash.
Rediscovered in the 18th century, it is now one of the world's most significant archaeological sites and one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations, with 4.3 million visitors in 2024.