POMPEII: The Ancient City Buried In Ash

Pompeii In Italy was once home to over 20,000 people before the volcano from Mount Vesuvius claimed thousands of lives when it erupted on 24th August 79AD.

The disaster completely buried the city and many people with it. It was forgotten about for 1700 yeas until it was discovered again in 1599 by accident when digging to try and divert a river. Archaeologists started the excavation of the city that was stuck under three meters of ash and pumice and have continued to do so gradually over the years.

A Pompeii street

When excavated the buildings were preserved nicely seeing as they had no been touched by the effects of weather i.e lack of air, moisture, light exposure, water damage etc for all that time.

As well as the buildings other things were discovered too like wine jars, paintings, animal bones, plants, pottery and the casts of bodies that have allowed us to learn more about Pompeii times. It was also seen that other volcano attacks had struck the city before the 'big one' previously.

Many of the body casts found were emotional ones like this

Cast of a dog thought to have been chained at the time

In Pompeii's best times it was a vital crossroad and a safe port for Phoenician and Greek sailors, as well as a popular holidaying destination for Romans. Nowadays its a thriving tourist destination to 2,500,000 visitors a year.

The Temple Of Jupiter

Interestingly on the day the city ended it was the anniversary of Augustus being named Father of the Nation and a feast was being held in honour of the guardian spirits of the city.

The theatre

The Bakery

When all had calmed down and with no one ruling the city to get guidance from the people who were left struggled to find food and they were forced into theft to survive. Some people came back to the city and tried to re-build it whilst others just abandoned it completely.

An artists impression of that fateful day

No more excavations are being done at the moment leaving only about two thirds of the city uncovered for visitors to browse. Over the time the Pompeii has been exposed it has been damaged by poor excavations, animal and plant introduction, thieves, vandals and the hustle and bustle of all the tourists passing through. To repair and preserve this beautiful city to it's possible best millions of pounds and dollars would be needed to complete it.