In 1980–82, under site administrator Dr. Giuseppe Maggi, excavations initially turned up more than 55 skeletons on the beach and in the first six so-called boat sheds.
Because earlier excavations had revealed only a few skeletons, it was long thought that nearly all of the inhabitants had managed to escape, but this surprising discovery led to a change of view.
 The last inhabitants waiting for rescue from the sea were killed instantly by the intense heat, despite being sheltered from direct impact.
The study of victims' postures and the effects on their skeletons indicate that the first surge caused instant death as a result of fulminant shock due to a temperature of about 500 °C (930 °F).
The intense heat caused contraction of hands and feet and possibly fracture of bones and teeth.

After a period of mismanagement of the finds and deterioration of skeletons further excavations in the 1990s revealed a total of 296 skeletons huddled close together in twelve arches facing the sea and on the beach, while the town was almost completely evacuated.
The "Ring Lady" (see image), named for the rings on her fingers, was discovered in 1982.

Chemical analysis of the remains has led to greater insight into the health and nutrition of the Herculaneum population.
Dr. Sara C. Bisel (1932–1996) was a physical anthropologist and classical archaeologist who played a prominent role in early scientific research at Herculaneum.
Her pioneering work in the chemical and physical analysis of skeletons yielded new insights into the nutrition and health of ancient populations.
This was considered ground-breaking and helped advance the field of paleodemography.
Quantities of lead were found in some of the skeletons, which led some to speculation of lead poisoning.
Also the presence of scarring on the pelvis, for instance, may give some indication of the number of children a woman had borne.

Casts of skeletons were also produced, to replace the original bones after taphonomic study, scientific documentation and excavation.
In contrast to Pompeii, where casts resembling the body features of the victims were produced by filling the body imprints in the ash deposit with plaster, the shape of corpses at Herculaneum could not be preserved, due to the rapid vapourization and replacement of the flesh of the victims by the hot ash (ca.
500 °C).
A cast of the skeletons unearthed within chamber 10 is on display at the Museum of Anthropology in Naples.
In 1980–82, under site administrator Dr. Giuseppe Maggi, excavations initially turned up more than 55 skeletons on the beach and in the first six so-called boat sheds. Because earlier excavations had revealed only a few skeletons, it was long thought that nearly all of the inhabitants had managed to escape, but this surprising discovery led to a change of view.  The last inhabitants waiting for rescue from the sea were killed instantly by the intense heat, despite being sheltered from direct impact. The study of victims' postures and the effects on their skeletons indicate that the first surge caused instant death as a result of fulminant shock due to a temperature of about 500 °C (930 °F). The intense heat caused contraction of hands and feet and possibly fracture of bones and teeth.
After a period of mismanagement of the finds and deterioration of skeletons further excavations in the 1990s revealed a total of 296 skeletons huddled close together in twelve arches facing the sea and on the beach, while the town was almost completely evacuated. The "Ring Lady" (see image), named for the rings on her fingers, was discovered in 1982.
Chemical analysis of the remains has led to greater insight into the health and nutrition of the Herculaneum population. Dr. Sara C. Bisel (1932–1996) was a physical anthropologist and classical archaeologist who played a prominent role in early scientific research at Herculaneum. Her pioneering work in the chemical and physical analysis of skeletons yielded new insights into the nutrition and health of ancient populations. This was considered ground-breaking and helped advance the field of paleodemography. Quantities of lead were found in some of the skeletons, which led some to speculation of lead poisoning. Also the presence of scarring on the pelvis, for instance, may give some indication of the number of children a woman had borne.
Casts of skeletons were also produced, to replace the original bones after taphonomic study, scientific documentation and excavation. In contrast to Pompeii, where casts resembling the body features of the victims were produced by filling the body imprints in the ash deposit with plaster, the shape of corpses at Herculaneum could not be preserved, due to the rapid vapourization and replacement of the flesh of the victims by the hot ash (ca. 500 °C). A cast of the skeletons unearthed within chamber 10 is on display at the Museum of Anthropology in Naples.
Herculaneum