Evidence of 2,000-year-old horses near the ancient ruins of Pompeii has been uncovered by archaeologists in Italy.

Excavations at an estates stable near present-day Naples uncovered the horses. One was described as wearing an elaborate military harness, a type used for military parades, and bronze trimmings, according to the Archaeological Park of Pompeii .

The harness suggests that the horse may have been prepared for an evacuation as Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, covering the area with volcanic ash and superhot vapors, according to local reports .

After the animals died and were buried in ash, their bodies decomposed, leaving impressions in the hardened ash. Archaeologists filled the voids with plaster, then removed the surrounding ash to see what had been there.