Archaeologists Find Street of Balconies in Italy's Pompeii

ROME (AP) — Archaeologists excavating an unexplored part of Italy’s volcanic ash-covered city of Pompeii have discovered a street of houses with intact balconies that were buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

A detail of a fresco that was found during excavation works in the archaeological site of Pompeii on May 17, 2018. Archaeologists excavating an unexplored part of Pompeii have discovered a street of houses with intact balconies that were buried when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. (Ciro Fusco /ANSA via AP)

Some of the balconies even had amphorae — the conical-shaped terra cotta vases that were used to hold wine and oil in ancient Roman times.

The culture ministry’s Pompeii authority announced the discovery Thursday. It said the balconies were a “complete novelty” for this part of the buried city, which hasn’t yet been fully excavated. A statement said the balconies will be restored and the area included in a tour open to the public.

A man points at a detail of a fresco that was found during excavation works in the archaeological site of Pompeii, Thursday, May 17, 2018. Archaeologists excavating an unexplored part of Pompeii have discovered a street of houses with intact balconies that were buried when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. (Ciro Fusco /ANSA via AP)

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