New excavations in the ancient buried city of Pompeii have yielded a charcoal inscription apparently dating the eruption of Mount Vesuvius to October of AD 79, two months later than originally thought.

Culture minister Alberto Bonisoli was on hand for the announcement in Pompeii, where earlier this month archaeologists revealed a richly painted garden scene in a home that was unearthed during excavations of a new sector of the vast site.

An archaeologist checks inscriptions on a wall during new excavations at the Pompeii archaeological site
An archaeologist checks inscriptions on a wall at the Pompeii archaeological site (Ciro Fusco/ANSA via AP)

The carbon inscription, found in a home, carries the equivalent date of October 17, and supports the idea that the eruption occurred a week later, rather than August 23 as had previously been thought.

Mr Bonisoli said the “extraordinary” discovery was important for science, history and art – and for showing off Italian expertise.