Introduction
Pompeii was a thriving Roman city located in Campania, Italy until one of the most famous natural disasters of all time struck in 79 AD. This prosperous city was entombed in ash and pumice stone after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, a nearby volcano. As the volcano spewed boulders, ash, and poisonous gases, it buried the city and caught the citizens unawares. The city of Pompeii and its inhabitants remained frozen in time as if stuck in an instant as the ash cooled to leave an eerie, but remarkable snapshot of daily life in an ancient Roman city.
Excavation and Preservation
In the mid-18th century, Pompeii finally began to resurface from its tomb as the first excavations took place under the auspices of the Bourbon kings of Naples. Though the city had been buried in meters of dust, the quality of the ash was so fine that when it solidified it preserved an incredible snapshot of daily life 2000 years ago. Statues, frescos, and other artifacts were so remarkably well-preserved it was almost as though the catastrophe had taken place only days before.
Over time, the site developed and modernized in order to accommodate the thousands and thousands of tourists that come to visit the city each year. Today, the Pompeii Archaeological Park is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world, and it has provided invaluable insight into Roman life.
Archaeology and Insights
The archaeology of Pompeii has told us many fascinating things about the ancient Roman Empire. From the excavations we know information about the way they lived, the clothes they wore, and the religious artifacts they held. Moreover, the ash has allowed us to discover many intricate details such as the crime scenes from murders and murders of the citizens, as well as locations of many brothels. Pompeii is a time capsule that has helped us better understand the way people lived during this period.
In addition to the great wealth of information about their daily lives, archaeologists have also uncovered an arresting amount of detail about the structure and design of the city, including spectacular frescos and mosaics. Furthermore, the volcanic ash has made it possible to recreate the contours of the city, its streets and its houses, giving us a remarkable window into one of the greatest cities of the ancient world.
Pottery and Artifacts
The vast majority of Roman pottery found in Pompeii consists of terra cotta figures and vessels. Terracotta was the cheap, everyday fare of everyday life, and pottery was often decorated with scenes of Roman gods, gladiators, and scenes from mythology. Besides these, the excavations have uncovered a great variety of bronze and stone sculptures, including figures of important gods, goddesses, and emperors.
Most impressive amongst these artifacts is the so-called ‘Alexander Mosaic’, a remarkable fresco depicting Alexander the Great. Measuring almost three square meters, the mosaic has proven to be one of the greatest treasures unearthed during the excavations at Pompeii.
Crime Scenes and Bodies
The city of Pompeii has yielded some worthwhile insight into the darker side of Roman life. As the city was entombed in ash, so were some of its inhabitants. The ash solidified and entombed the bodies of those killed by the eruption and those not fortunate enough to escape. This has given archaeologists an opportunity to uncover an remarkable amount of detail about the victims and their deaths.
One of the most famous such discoveries is the death of a pregnant woman in Vesuvian plaza. The woman is believed to have been trapped in the ash before dying tragically. What’s more, archaeologists have uncovered numerous artifacts from homicides which paint a grim picture of the darker aspects of Roman life.
Conclusion
Pompeii has become one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world and it has provided invaluable insight into the lives of everyday people in the ancient world. From the artifacts unearthed, we now know about what the typical Roman citizen wore, ate, and did for entertainment. The preservation of the city has allowed archaeologists to uncover evidence of disease, violence, and hope amongst the inhabitants of this once prosperous city. With its incredible array of mosaics, sculptures and pottery it is easy to see why Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.
