Archaeologists uncovered disturbing details about a Pompeii family's fight for survival during the destructive eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 A.D. The Pompeii Archaeological Park announced the recent excavation in a Facebook post in April. Researchers investigated the House of Helle and Phrixus in Pompeii, finding proof of "residents' attempts to save themselves from the ongoing eruption." The house consists of an entrance, an atrium with a water collection basin called an impluvium, and a bedroom — plus a room with a canopy and a banquet hall with "richly decorated walls." "This opening may have allowed lapilli (volcanic rock fragments) to rain inside the house during the early phases of the eruption, from which the victims, now found, tried to protect themselves by taking refuge in a room barricaded with a bed," noted the statement, which was translated from Italian to English. "A cast of the bed was made by identifying voids in the solidified ash formed by the organic decomposition of the wood," officials said. "Plaster was poured into the voids to reconstruct the shape of the bed preserved as an imprint in the ash." In one striking account, researchers found that a family placed a bed across a bedroom door as a makeshift barricade to protect themselves against the volcanic eruption. EXPERTS SHOCKED BY ANCIENT KING ARTHUR MANUSCRIPT FOUND TUCKED INSIDE BOOK: 'SURVIVED THE CENTURIES' Archaeologists also came across the remains of at least four people in the house, including a child. "The child likely owned the bronze bulla found here, an amulet worn by boys until reaching adulthood," the post said. A family placed a bed across a bedroom door as a makeshift barricade to protect themselves against the volcanic eruption. Excavators also found various pantry items, which paint a vivid picture of daily life in Ancient Rome. "Among various other objects discovered were a stash of amphorae stored under a staircase serving as a pantry, some used to contain garum, a widely used fish sauce; and a set of bronze vessels, including a ladle, a single-handled jug, a basket-shaped vase, and a shell-shaped cup," the statement said. The house may have also been undergoing renovation at the time of the eruption, as there were thresholds removed and traces of wall cutting sitting at the entrance of the residence. "However, it continued to be occupied by its residents, who, caught by the eruption, chose not to leave the house, meeting their end there," the statement added. The house was named for a mythological painting that depicts Elle and Phrixus, two figures in Greek mythology. The painting was found on one of the house's walls, though archaeologists do not believe that the inhabitants worshiped Greek gods. "[In] the 1st century AD, these stories no longer held the religious and cultural significance they had in the archaic and classical ages," the archaeological organization said. The excavation helps to confront "the fragility of life for all of us." "We must assume, therefore, that their function in the homes of the middle and upper classes was primarily entertainment, the display of economic and cultural status, and ‘beauty,’ which is also evident in this medium-sized domus." In a statement, Pompeii Archaeological Park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel said the excavation helps to confront "the fragility of life for all of us." "In this wonderfully decorated small house, we found traces of the inhabitants who tried to save themselves by blocking the entrance to a small room with a bed, of which we made a cast," Zuchtriegel said. "This was because lapilli, volcanic stones, were entering through the atrium roof opening, threatening to invade the space," he continued. "They didn't make it; in the end, the pyroclastic flow arrived, a violent stream of scorching ash that filled every room here, as elsewhere, with seismic shocks having already caused many buildings to collapse."

Lukka Bradburn traveled to rural Japan last year to document abandoned theme parks — and was surprised by what he found left behind in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster and after years of decline, according to news agency SWNS. Bradburn, a printer, explorer and father of two, came across the parks after researching the areas on Google Maps. He found an entire derelict colonial "American town" area complete with hotels, churches and restaurants. The "Western Village" theme park near Nikkō, Tochigi, has stood virtually untouched since its closure in 2007, its sprawling grounds frozen in time like a ghost town straight out of 1800s America, SWNS reported. Nature has been slowly reclaiming the land: Vines have crawled up church walls and snow has blanketed abandoned porches. Opened in 1973, the theme park was inspired by classic American and Italian Western movies — but it closed because of competition from Tokyo Disneyland, per SWNS. Bradburn even discovered a replica of Mount Rushmore still intact, along with saloon bars and a stadium where crowds once watched jousting and other sports. The replica monument emerged among frost-covered trees, its stone faces still clearly defined against the sky. Nearby, weathered structures and themed facades lined the pathways, evoking the appearance of a long-forgotten frontier town. The site was littered with mannequins depicting life in "Wild West" America, according to SWNS. THESE ARE THE 5 MOST HAUNTED STATES IN THE US, DID YOURS MAKE THE LIST? Abandoned buildings include a gift shop that was boarded up and heavily damaged. Among the rubble, Bradburn managed to find a prop gun on the floor and an arcade with the original machines. With parts of the park still standing, he noted that navigating the sites was surprisingly straightforward. During his exploration, Bradburn said that both attractions were easily accessed. "The Western one had a bit of a fence, but you could pretty much just walk in," he said. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot," he added, as SWNS noted. The absence of maintenance left the area in a state of disrepair. "As we got to one park it was heavily snowing and we were having to get through all these bushes," he told SWNS. "It was quite overgrown." Both were in rural areas surrounded by countryside, mountains and small towns, creating the picturesque snowy scenery seen in the photos shown within this article. On his adventure, Bradburn and his friends came across another urban explorer, a Japanese man who said he used to visit the park as a child. "There was no security or anyone watching over it; it was just left to rot." The man, who spoke limited English, told the friends he'd returned to take photographs of the theme park, according to SWNS. While exploring, Bradburn also came across the remains of Kejonuma Leisure Land, which once attracted 200,000 visitors in the remote Tohoku region; it closed in 2001. He found a decaying ornate Ferris wheel, carousels and children's train rides. The attraction closed due to falling demand and the struggling Japanese economy, per SWNS. The site, once a popular destination in the remote Tohoku region, has seen little change since its closure. Visitors can still identify many of the original attractions, though time and weather have taken a visible toll. Bradburn said he plans to return to Japan next year for further exploring. "The Japanese theme park industry entered a boom during the 1960s and 1970s, reaching a peak in the 1990s. Since then, they’ve seen a gradual decline," according to The Park Database.

Researchers have uncovered the reason an "unusual" 18th-century mummy was preserved so well in Austria – and it's highly abnormal. A study about the mummy was recently published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine. The so-called "air-dried chaplain" is housed in the crypt of the church of St. Thomas am Blasenstein in Upper Austria. Historians believe the mummy's identity was most likely Franz Xaver Sidler von Rosenegg, a vicar who had been temporarily delegated to the St. Thomas parish at the time of his death. He was between 35 and 45 years old when he died and passed away between 1730 and 1780, according to carbon dating. Experts were able to glean details about his life, including his diet, from the study. "He had a high-quality diet based on terrestrial animal products [and] showed no signs of major physical work load," the study noted. Despite his relatively healthy lifestyle, researchers believe that he died from an acute pulmonary hemorrhage after suffering from tuberculosis. "[He] was most likely a pipe smoker and suffered from chronic active pulmonary tuberculosis with peripheral and central (hilar) calcifications (primary tuberculous complex) and a right lower lobe cavity with focal heterotopic ossification and potential active inflammation," the study detailed. But experts were stunned when they came across the mummy's midsection and found it full of curious material – including wood chips, twigs and fabric. "Most surprisingly, we detected, in the otherwise completely intact abdominal (and pelvic) cavity, extensive packing with foreign material, which was identified as a mixture of wood chips, fragmented twigs, large amounts of fabric of various types, including elaborate embroidered linen, and even pieces of silk," the article said. Researchers also came across a solution made of zinc, chloride and copper that appeared to aid in the cadaver's preservation. The solution had been inserted into the mummy's abdominal cavity. "This embalming method seems to have included high-level zinc-ion solution impregnation (most likely zinc-chloride with small amounts of arsenic) and the addition of copper," the study said. "This is the first verified case of such a treatment." Researchers added, "It led to an excellent state of conservation of the [body], while the face (and skull) and peripheral extremities were less well-preserved." Professor Andreas Nerlich discussed the findings in an email with Fox News Digital, noting the embalming technique was previously unknown. "The most significant factors for the embalming of this mummy were the internal stuffing [of] fabric and wood chips and the zinc-chloride solution," the expert said. Though the mummy was found to have had a healthy diet, Nerlich said that factor "obviously had no influence." The professor added, "We have no idea whether this [embalming] technique has been applied more often, but this is the first verified case of such a treatment. We have no data on its use in other cases." The mummy is one of several well-preserved remains that have been studied and publicly reported in recent months. Last year, archaeologists unsealed a 2,000-year-old tomb in Italy and found a mummy to be in "excellent state." In March, a female 130,000-year-old baby mammoth was dissected in Russia.

Swedish archaeologists recently found an "unusual" Viking-era coffin dating back over 1,100 years. The discovery was announced by Arkeologerna, an archaeological organization affiliated with the Swedish government, in April. The grave was found on the outskirts of Linköping, a city in southern Sweden, in fall 2022, though the find was unknown until last month. In a Facebook post, Arkeologerna said its archaeologists were investigating a stone quarry in the area when they came across the "unusual coffin grave." "The stone arrangement stood alone in majesty on the crest of a hill," the organization said in a statement translated from Swedish to English. "The view from there was expansive over the flat plains surrounding Linköping." Arkeologerna added that the stone arrangement "had a very strong edge chain, mostly consisting of edge-set blocks." "In the middle was a coffin grave from the 10th century," the translated statement added. "The coffin had been placed in a grave shaft with stone-lined sides." Archaeologists soon found that the person in the grave had been buried with an axe and a dagger, and that there were "remnants of textile, likely from a garment." Pictures show archaeologists working at the site of the carefully arranged stone circle, along with a preserved nail and a wooden sheath that held a knife. The buried person, most likely a man, came from the "upper echelons of society," according to the archaeological organization. The grave also dates back to a pivotal point in Swedish history when inhabitants gradually transitioned from pagan customs to Christian ones. The burial was "done with Christian overtones, but the stone setting was erected on a burial site from the older Iron Age." Arkeologerna project manager Alf Eriksson said that he "really did not expect a coffin grave from the Viking era." "Previously, we have investigated stone settings in the area, and they have been from the older Iron Age, so we thought this one would be, too," the expert said. "The strong edge chain of raised/edge-set stone blocks is very unusual." The discovery is one of many fascinating Viking-related finds in recent months. In January, a University Museum of Bergen archaeologist spoke to Fox News Digital about recently discovered Viking graves that were filled with coins, jewelry and other treasure. Last year, metal detectorists on the Isle of Man stumbled across a 1,000-year-old Viking "wallet," filled with 36 silver coins that were minted between 1000 and 1065.

Swedish archaeologists recently found an "unusual" Viking-era coffin dating back over 1,100 years. The discovery was announced by Arkeologerna, an archaeological organization affiliated with the Swedish government, in April. The grave was found on the outskirts of Linköping, a city in southern Sweden, in fall 2022, though the find was unknown until last month. In a Facebook post, Arkeologerna said its archaeologists were investigating a stone quarry in the area when they came across the "unusual coffin grave." "The stone arrangement stood alone in majesty on the crest of a hill," the organization said in a statement translated from Swedish to English. "The view from there was expansive over the flat plains surrounding Linköping." Arkeologerna added that the stone arrangement "had a very strong edge chain, mostly consisting of edge-set blocks." "In the middle was a coffin grave from the 10th century," the translated statement added. "The coffin had been placed in a grave shaft with stone-lined sides." Archaeologists soon found that the person in the grave had been buried with an axe and a dagger, and that there were "remnants of textile, likely from a garment." Pictures show archaeologists working at the site of the carefully arranged stone circle, along with a preserved nail and a wooden sheath that held a knife. The buried person, most likely a man, came from the "upper echelons of society," according to the archaeological organization. The grave also dates back to a pivotal point in Swedish history when inhabitants gradually transitioned from pagan customs to Christian ones. The burial was "done with Christian overtones, but the stone setting was erected on a burial site from the older Iron Age." Arkeologerna project manager Alf Eriksson said that he "really did not expect a coffin grave from the Viking era." "Previously, we have investigated stone settings in the area, and they have been from the older Iron Age, so we thought this one would be, too," the expert said. "The strong edge chain of raised/edge-set stone blocks is very unusual." The discovery is one of many fascinating Viking-related finds in recent months. In January, a University Museum of Bergen archaeologist spoke to Fox News Digital about recently discovered Viking graves that were filled with coins, jewelry and other treasure. Last year, metal detectorists on the Isle of Man stumbled across a 1,000-year-old Viking "wallet," filled with 36 silver coins that were minted between 1000 and 1065.

Daredevil to swim shark-filled waters in celebration of 'Jaws' 50th anniversary Lewis Pugh will swim in 47-degree waters without a wetsuit to change the public perception of sharks Ashley J. DiMella By Ashley J. DiMella Fox News Published May 16, 2025 1:26pm EDT Facebook Twitter Flipboard Comments Print Email close Shark can't escape trio of fish in 'awesome' underwater chase A daring endurance swimmer is taking it to the next level as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the film "Jaws." Lewis Pugh, 55, will be swimming 62 miles around the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts with the water temperature predicted to be 47 degrees. "On this swim, it’s very different: We’re just talking about sharks all the time," Pugh told The Associated Press (AP). He said that he plans on wearing his usual swimming uniform, which is not a wetsuit. Rather, he'll be wearing just trunks, a cap and goggles, he said. The daredevil has gone swimming near glaciers and volcanoes, as well as among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. Pugh said his goal is to raise awareness of the need to protect sharks and to change public perception of the mighty fish. The American Association for the Advancement of Science estimates about 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day. Pugh said the popular 1975 movie "Jaws" showcased sharks as "villains, as cold-blooded killers." He told AP, "It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks … It’s completely unsustainable. It’s madness. We need to respect them." He added, "We need to protect life in our oceans — all our futures rely on it." On the swim, safety personnel in a boat and kayak will follow Pugh. They'll have a "shark shield" device that uses an electric field without harming sharks to deter them. He plans to start the swim on Friday, which is estimated to take about 12 days. "Jaws" was released in June 1975; it was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Peter Benchley. It starred Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Lorraine Gary. The film tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the island of Martha's Vineyard. The film tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the island of Martha's Vineyard. A famous bridge known to tourists and locals as "Jaws Bridge" is on Beach Road connecting the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The bridge is popular among beachgoers, with people jumping off the ledge into the water. Pugh said he will spend the rest of his time on the Vineyard educating the public about sharks. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Angler shatters previous fish state record by reeling in black crappie Black crappie record set when he caught a 3.6-pound freshwater fish Ashley J. DiMella By Ashley J. DiMella Fox News Published May 16, 2025 6:36am EDT Facebook Twitter Flipboard Comments Print Email close Little boy impresses dad by catching his first fish A West Virginia angler just broke a fish record in the Mountain State. Jerry Porter of Harts, West Virginia, caught a black crappie while fishing at East Lynn Lake in Wayne County. Porter reeled in the 17.7-inch fish that weighed in at 3.6-pounds, according to the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (WVDNR). The sunfish was caught on a minnow-tipped jig on a 6-pound test line. The previous black crappie state record was a 3.15-pound, 17.76-inch fish caught in 2024. Black crappies stretch 10.8 inches on average, with the heaviest ever reported at six pounds, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (FWS). The fish are commonly found in freshwater lakes, often traveling in schools while swimming in clear water, according to FWS. Porter’s record marks the third state record shattered so far in 2025. Two West Virginia fishermen recently broke state records while reeling in their catches on the same day in April. Two West Virginia fishermen recently broke state records while reeling in their catches on the same day in April. Split image of fishermen Two West Virginia anglers managed to break state records while fishing on the same day. (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR)) Jason Floyd caught a 24.57-inch, 5.75-pound redhorse sucker, according to the WVDNR and as previously reported by Fox News Digital. John Plott caught a hefty 12.44-inch, 1.60-pound redear sunfish, marking his second record-breaking catch of the species. In order to fish in West Virginia, anglers over the age of 14 must obtain a state fishing license.

A daring endurance swimmer is taking it to the next level as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the film "Jaws." Lewis Pugh, 55, will be swimming 62 miles around the island of Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts with the water temperature predicted to be 47 degrees. "On this swim, it’s very different: We’re just talking about sharks all the time," Pugh told The Associated Press (AP). He said that he plans on wearing his usual swimming uniform, which is not a wetsuit. Rather, he'll be wearing just trunks, a cap and goggles, he said. The daredevil has gone swimming near glaciers and volcanoes, as well as among hippos, crocodiles and polar bears. Pugh said his goal is to raise awareness of the need to protect sharks and to change public perception of the mighty fish. The American Association for the Advancement of Science estimates about 274,000 sharks are killed globally each day. Pugh said the popular 1975 movie "Jaws" showcased sharks as "villains, as cold-blooded killers." He told AP, "It was a film about sharks attacking humans and for 50 years, we have been attacking sharks … It’s completely unsustainable. It’s madness. We need to respect them." He added, "We need to protect life in our oceans — all our futures rely on it." On the swim, safety personnel in a boat and kayak will follow Pugh. They'll have a "shark shield" device that uses an electric field without harming sharks to deter them. He plans to start the swim on Friday, which is estimated to take about 12 days. "Jaws" was released in June 1975; it was directed by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Peter Benchley. It starred Richard Dreyfuss, Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw and Lorraine Gary. The film tells the story of a great white shark that terrorizes the island of Martha's Vineyard. A famous bridge known to tourists and locals as "Jaws Bridge" is on Beach Road connecting the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The bridge is popular among beachgoers, with people jumping off the ledge into the water. "Jaws" was an "instant blockbuster and the highest-grossing film in movie history until it was bested by 1977’s Star Wars," according to History.com. A famous bridge known to tourists and locals as "Jaws Bridge" is on Beach Road connecting the towns of Edgartown and Oak Bluffs. The bridge is popular among beachgoers, with people jumping off the ledge into the water. Pugh said he will spend the rest of his time on the Vineyard educating the public about sharks. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A recent archaeological excavation in Switzerland turned morbid when historians came across a trove of infant burials dating back to Ancient Rome. The excavation began last May in order to make way for three new apartment buildings in the Schürmatt district of Kaiseraugst, the Canton of Aargau said in a statement. One of Switzerland's 26 administrative regions, Aargau is located in the northern region of the country and borders Germany. The excavated properties are located in the lower town of Augusta Raurica, an ancient Roman archaeological site, so a proper investigation was needed before construction began. The quarter was first inhabited at around the end of the first century A.D. before being abandoned during the third century. While excavating a roughly 19,375-square-foot area, archaeologists uncovered a Roman road "with adjacent buildings and associated backyards." The excavators also found a large Roman building complete with a stone cellar. Another building with a cellar was partially uncovered, and archaeologists described the structures as "particularly well-preserved." "[They] yielded numerous finds," said the press release, which was translated from German to English. "Surprisingly, simpler post constructions were identified on some plots, indicating that not all plots were built with stone structures." "Based on the elongated rectangular layout, internal division and backyards, all buildings are interpreted as strip houses," the statement added. Unfortunately, the buildings and the backyards also hosted "several infant burials," marking a grim discovery for the archaeologists. "It was common in Roman times for deceased infants to be buried in homes and backyards rather than cemeteries," the statement read. "The graves reflect care for the dead and provide clues about high infant mortality during this period." Other stone shafts and pits were found, though archaeologists are still unsure what they were used for. "Several dry stone shafts and pits were uncovered in the backyards," the press release read. "The function of these shafts, possibly used as latrines or storage shafts, requires further investigation." Archaeologists also came across "numerous" late Roman coins and other discoveries. "Among the numerous finds were some special objects: a small bronze panther statuette, a tuff stone altar, and a spindle whorl made of mosaic glass," the statement said. "Such finds are rare." The Canton of Aargau concluded that the excavation "significantly expanded knowledge about the lower town of ancient Augusta Raurica." "This provided valuable insights into the urban structure and parceling of this quarter," the press release read. "The Roman road was renewed multiple times and was almost four meters wide at its last stage. It was flanked on both sides by roadside ditches and so-called porticos (columned halls)."

Many Americans are planning to take to the skies to get to their destinations this summer. Ahead of the season, American Airlines announced that for the period between May 16 and Sept. 2, over 715,000 flights have been booked — with July 6 predicted to be the most-traveled day. American Airlines is looking to take some of the anxiety away from some of those flights by introducing new technology for customers with connections. "If the airline determines it can delay the flight without any impact on the airline’s schedule, we will propose a short hold to get those connecting customers onboard," the airline announced in a press release. The technology will first be rolled out at the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport hub in Texas to "identif[y] departing flights with connecting customers who might miss their flight." It is unclear how long planes can be held and if there will be any impact on fellow flyers. The technology "helps automate and enhance existing processes to hold certain connecting flights so the airline can help even more customers make their connections and get to their final destinations," the press release also notes. Following the first rollout, American Airlines plans to expand the test to Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina, followed by other hubs over the summer. Heather Garboden, chief customer officer at American Airlines, said in the press release, "Expectations are high when customers are traveling for their hard-earned summer vacations." A massive 45.1 million Americans are set to travel at least 50 miles from their home during the long weekend, AAA announced. Of the millions of Americans traveling, AAA predicts 3.61 million will be flying to their destinations. That's a 2% increase from last year. "Whether it’s our redesigned app, improvements to our boarding process or other new technology across the operation, we are excited for customers to have a new and improved experience traveling with us this summer," Garboden added.