Pompeii dig finds trace of ancient racehorse

An excavation in Pompeii has unearthed a stable containing the remains of an ancient racehorse.

Pompeii officials displayed a cast of the horse, which appeared to have been lying on its left flank when it died.

Pompeii director Massimo Osanna said the animal was a thoroughbred likely to have been used for races, not farm work.

Parts of the sprawling city destroyed by Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in the year 79AD await excavation.

The stable belonged to a villa on Pompeii’s northern outskirts. The villa’s excavation also unearthed kitchen utensils and part of a wooden bed.