This photograph, released in 2017, showcases the remains of an individual who lived in Pompeii during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The posture of the body led to speculations suggesting that the man had died while masturbating.

However, according to volcanologist Dr Petrone: “Most of the human victims found in Pompeii often show ‘strange’ position of arms and legs, due to the contraction of limbs as a consequence of the heat effect on their bodies after death occurred”.