Pompeii

The ancient city of Pompeii was located in the Bay of Naples in Italy, under the shadow of still active volcano, Mount Vesuvius. With a population of around 20,000 and just a few days’ travel south of Rome, Pompeii was a popular Roman destination known for its baths, port, entertainment scene and fertile soil (caused by the level of volcanic ash in the ground). 

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 began with tremors and lapilli, or pumice rain - which literally means that small, volcanic rocks were raining down from the sky. This, fortunately, allowed most of Pompeii’s inhabitants to escape. But some, too poor, too sick, or too stubborn to abandon their homes, belongings and businesses, remained. These poor souls would have fallen victim to the pyroclastic flows that began in the night. Pyroclastic flows are “fast-moving current(s) of hot gas and volcanic matter” that can reach speeds of up to 700kmph/430mph. Anybody in the path of these flows would have been killed instantly. 

Although obviously a terrible disaster, the pyroclastic flows of the AD79 eruption and approximate 20 feet of ash that blanketed the town afterwards, had the archaeologically beneficial effect of essentially preserving almost perfectly for us, an entire ancient Roman town. You may be familiar with the body casts of Pompeii; moulds formed from plaster poured into cavities within the ash, discovered during excavations. They show us the exact postures and final moments of those unfortunate enough to be caught in the pyroclastic flows - often shielding their faces or curled up on the ground. 

Soon after the eruption, the city was scavenged by thieves, likely looking for coins and other valuables. But after that, Pompeii remained buried in ash for so long, it was almost forgotten.  The first comprehensive excavations took place in the 1800s - almost two thousand years after the eruption. Today, many incredible artefacts from the city are on display in museums around the world, and tourists are able to visit the ruins of the city, and explore the streets for themselves.