Pompeii volcano: Newly found inscription 'rewrites history' of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius

Archeologists have discovered an ancient charcoal inscription in Pompeii which suggests the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened two months later than previously thought.

The writing was discovered on the wall of a villa during a new series of excavations on the site of the ancient Italian town.

It carries the date of October 17 in Latin, which supports the theory that the eruption happened a week later on October 24, rather than on August 23 as has been taught for decades.

Archeologists believe it may have been written by a builder or architect as a way of recording their work on the site.

It is thought more than 16,000 people may have died in the eruption just days later in 79 AD, as ash, mud and rocks buried both Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Culture minister Alberto Bonisoli said the "extraordinary" discovery was important for science, history and art - and for showing off Italian expertise.

He said: “The inscription helps us to more precisely date the famous eruption – it didn’t happen in August but in October.

“In a small way we are rewriting the history books, which until now have cited Pliny the Younger, who wrote of the eruption happening on August 24.”

Near to where the inscription was found were the remains of at least five people who had tried in vain to find refuge in the upper rooms of the villa during the catastrophe.