Herculaneum and Pompeii were both destroyed by a volcano. In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted causing both Herculaneum and Pompeii to be buried under 50-60 feet of volcanic ash.
Herculaneum was a much more wealthier town than Pompeii, because of that Herculaneum possessed many expensive homes. On August 24, 79 AD in the afternoon Mount Vesuvius erupted. Mount Vesuvius had not erupted for about 800 years and not thought of as a volcano anymore. At first Mount Vesuvius only blew volcanic ash and stones. Because Herculaneum lay west of Vesuvius this only mildly affected Herculaneum. Only a little bit of ash fell which gave the people time to flee the city. The first eruption was a mix of ash, stone and hot gases, which blew into …show more content…
The people of Pompeii produced barley, wheat, cereal and millet. Wine and olive oil, as well as the grains, were all produced heavily for export to other regions of the world.
When the eruption occurred the town had 11,000 people. Pompeii was located at the base of Mount Vesuvius. On August 24, 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted, Pompeii held Vulcanalia which is a festival for Vulcan, who was the Roman god of fire and volcanos. When the explosion happened, many were in their homes. The buildings were covered by layers of rock and ash, 25 meters deep and for about six hours. After ash covered Pompeii it was left abandoned and eventually forgotten.
Pompeii was rediscovered in 1748 by the Spanish engineer Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre, who also discovered Herculaneum. Guiseppe Fiorelli took charge of the excavation in 1863. It was Fiorelli who realized the victims need to be remembered and persevered. He started the technique of placing plaster over the victim’s skeleton. This is technique is still used today but with a clear substance because of it being clear and it does not harm the bones. Much erotic art has been found in …show more content…
It was 2,000 years old. The building was not open to the public but could be seen by them. There has been major controversy after the collapse with some saying it was neglected.
Artifacts buried under Pompeii have been preserved for almost two thousand years. When exposed to both natural and man-made elements, this has caused for rapid deterioration. Erosion, light, weathering, poor excavation, tourism, plants, water damage, animals, and vandalism have damaged Pompeii in some form. Pompeii has concerned archaeologists that the need for conservation is need badly. An estimated $335 million is needed to be able to protect all of the work on Pompeii.
Poppea’s Villa was uncovered in 1964, is six meters below street level. It has a Second Style Roman painting that has been well preserved. The Villa dates from the 1st Century BCE to about 79 AD. So far fifty-five rooms have been excavated. At the time of the eruption no one was living in it.
In 79 AD Mount Vesuvius erupted causing both Herculaneum and Pompeii to be buried under 50-60 feet of volcanic ash. The volcanic ash persevered both cities’ buildings, victims, and objects. Now that we have decided to uncover these cities it is on us to preserve them for future generations to learn and experience