Determining the cause of death
Evidence for suffocation includes the obvious shielding of face and mouth from the victims. Volcanologists were able to determine that the mix of hot carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide, where enough to kill the victim in three breaths with the deadly mix of gases blocking the air ways and forming a crude cement in the lungs.
However the more so scientific evidence for death would be by that of thermal shock. Dr. Peter Baxter of Cambridge University explained the effects of thermal shock as forth degree burns that would instantly overheat the body and destroy vital organs. During this process, scientists understand that during a case like thermal shock, the muscles would contract thus leaving the victim in a very huddled or overly expended position.
“Such thermal shock induced instantaneous muscular stiffening– known as cadaveric spasm– which caused the victims to be frozen in their postures at the time of the impact with the hot ash surge,” explained Dr. Petrone.
Scientists are able to back up this evidence by conducting research into the actual temperatures produced by Vesuvius, that exceeding 200°c. Bones found in Pompeii from the victims were of a yellowish tinge, the same yellowish tinge that scientists were able to replicate on modern bones after being exposed to heats of 250-300°c thus supporting the idea of thermal shock.
However the more so scientific evidence for death would be by that of thermal shock. Dr. Peter Baxter of Cambridge University explained the effects of thermal shock as forth degree burns that would instantly overheat the body and destroy vital organs. During this process, scientists understand that during a case like thermal shock, the muscles would contract thus leaving the victim in a very huddled or overly expended position.
“Such thermal shock induced instantaneous muscular stiffening– known as cadaveric spasm– which caused the victims to be frozen in their postures at the time of the impact with the hot ash surge,” explained Dr. Petrone.
Scientists are able to back up this evidence by conducting research into the actual temperatures produced by Vesuvius, that exceeding 200°c. Bones found in Pompeii from the victims were of a yellowish tinge, the same yellowish tinge that scientists were able to replicate on modern bones after being exposed to heats of 250-300°c thus supporting the idea of thermal shock.