The ancient Roman town of Pompeii was buried under volcanic ashes after the disastrous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. This natural catastrophe caused the destruction of houses, streets, temples and thousands of lives in a matter of hours; the city was hidden underneath the pumice and ash deposits for almost 1,700 years. Pompeii is still one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world, providing people with an insight into the daily life of ancient Romans. From casts of bodies to preserved frescoes and bakeries, the ruins tell us about the sudden change nature brings into people’s lives.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii
It appeared to be just another day in August of AD 79 when Mount Vesuvius erupted with catastrophic force. As the Roman author Pliny the Younger described it, the sky was so dark that it looked “as if the lamp had been put out in a dark room”. As explained by Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Firenze, ashes, lava rocks and poisonous gases fell upon Pompeii and its neighbouring cities, including Herculaneum. As the archaeologists suggest, roofs of buildings were unable to withstand the immense weight of the pumice stones until the pyroclastic surges finally struck the city. Britannica states that Pompeii was ultimately buried under an ash layer up to 23 feet thick. The ruins of the ancient city disappeared for many years. The ashes that caused destruction also shielded the site from any possible decay.
Pompeii archaeology reveals everyday Roman life
However, Pompeii is not associated with only tragedy. The rediscovery of Pompeii became a turning point for archaeology and ancient history studies. Excavations started in 1748, and even nowadays, new areas of the city are discovered.When visiting Pompeii today, one can see a lot of familiar things. The bakeries’ stoves are still there next to stone counters. Public baths are decorated with bright frescoes. Graffiti with political statements and jokes can be found on the walls. Even the fast-food restaurants of ancient times were found by archaeologists. All of these discoveries make it possible for scientists to better understand the lives of Romans almost 2000 years ago.Perhaps the most impressive feature of Pompeii is the casts of the people who died there. Already in the 19th century, archaeologists discovered that some cavities in solidified ashes contain human bodies. Filling them with plaster became the way of capturing the last moments of the escape attempts of the victims.
Why Pompeii still fascinates the modern world
Pompeii continues to intrigue scholars and tourists alike as it retains a remarkably human feel. Contrary to ruined temples and other monuments, Pompeii feels like a snapshot of everyday life.Scientists continue to analyse Vesuvius because it is an active volcano. The name of the journal is ‘Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research‘. Today’s science projects, such as muon radiography studies, try to learn more about the volcano’s inner workings.At the same time, new discoveries keep coming out of the ancient city. Recently, archaeologists have unearthed luxurious baths, colourful frescos and domestic items that give insight into both the wealth and fragility of Roman society at that time.Pompeii proves that history is not only about powerful rulers and wars. It is also about common people having their meals, leaving graffiti on walls and fighting for survival against the unexpected catastrophe. Two thousand years after the tragedy, the town covered with ash retains its amazing voice.
