DISCOVERED: Ancient remains of Roman horse killed by Vesuvius in Pompeii

The horse was discovered in the remains of a large Roman villa, which was being excavated illegally by tomb raiders searching for artefacts and valuables – sparking a police investigation.

Archaeologist Massimo Osanna, described the horse as an “extraordinary” discovery.

The remains of the animal were discovered in a stable connected to the villa.

Experts used laser scanners to find the illegal tunnels, which were just 60cm wide.

The remains of kitchen utensils and a part of a wooden bed, which had been miraculously preserved beneath the volcanic ash, were found in the villa.

It was the second major discovery at Pompeii in a few weeks.

Last month, archeologists found the skeleton of a child – believed to be seven or eight years of age – who tried to hide in a public baths complex from the ash and pumice which hit the city during the eruption.

It is thought that the child suffocated by the clouds of ash that covered the city.

The eruption of Mt Vesuvius destroyed both Pompeii and its neighbouring town Herculaneum.

Plaster was pumped into the space where the horse was found, producing an accurate cast of the animal.

It is a late 19th century technique that was pioneered by some of the first archaeologists to systematically excavate Pompeii.

It is the first time a cast has been made of a horse at Pompeii.

The technique is normally used to make moulds for the human victims of the eruption.