The eruption of Mt Vesuvius is one of the most fascinating volcanic eruptions in history for many archaeologists as it preserved a town in the vast Roman Empire giving people a snap shot view of what life was really like in ancient Rome before this tragedy struck covering, but preserving, the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy.
Excavations have been occurring in these fascinating towns for centuries to give people an insight of what life was really like for men and women in ancient Rome. The first excavation began in 1599 when underground digging came across an ancient wall covered with art, now regarded as artefacts and the architect Domenico Fontana was called in and discovered some frescoes which were preserved by the eruption.
Excavations began again in 1748 in Pompeii under the ruling of King Charles of Naples. This excavation focused on recovering numerous art pieces such as figure paintings, statues and certain articles for the king. When numerous art pieces had been excavated, numerous art items that were deemed suitable for the king were selected and taken back to Naples where they still remain to this day. King Charles wanted to gain access to these artefacts for his own personal use in his residence, not for historical information like archaeologists today excavate for. Because the people excavating under Charles' influence didn't have the proper tools like men and women today have and damaged numerous items that give an insight to what life what like during the Roman Empire, damaging paintings, buildings and statues telling us all about the ancient times in Rome during the 1st century AD
Another important excavator was Giuseppe Fiorelli as he was the man who realised you could pour plaster into the remains of the bodies of men and women who died, giving the final moment of death for those who were unable to get away. This provides important DNA evidence that can prove exactly what is was that killed the men, women and animals who were unable to get away for this eruption. Giuseppe Fiorelli also began to treat artefacts with care as many excavators before him had damaged or stolen numerous pieces of important artefacts that can provide information of what Roman life was like in that exact period in time that no other Roman town can. Giuseppe Fiorelli is regarded as one of the most important excavators in Pompeii as he began to document and protect all documents beginning to prove how important and how significant this eruption was in history.
Excavations of the historic sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, that were covered in Pumice from the Plinian eruption of Mt Vesuvius, are still being excavated on today. These archaeologists are still uncovering numerous artefacts that are able to provide a 'snapshot' of what life was like in the Classical Period before the fall of the Roman Empire. These primary pieces of evidence found in Pompeii have moulded many modern towns in a similar image, such as the stepping stones in the streets which are still found in Roman cities. Pompeii and Herculaneum are fascinating sites for archaeologists and historians studying this specific period in time provide the snapshot image showing what life was like during the Roman Empire that no other towns in this empire can provide due to wars and modernisation.
Excavations have been occurring in these fascinating towns for centuries to give people an insight of what life was really like for men and women in ancient Rome. The first excavation began in 1599 when underground digging came across an ancient wall covered with art, now regarded as artefacts and the architect Domenico Fontana was called in and discovered some frescoes which were preserved by the eruption.
Excavations began again in 1748 in Pompeii under the ruling of King Charles of Naples. This excavation focused on recovering numerous art pieces such as figure paintings, statues and certain articles for the king. When numerous art pieces had been excavated, numerous art items that were deemed suitable for the king were selected and taken back to Naples where they still remain to this day. King Charles wanted to gain access to these artefacts for his own personal use in his residence, not for historical information like archaeologists today excavate for. Because the people excavating under Charles' influence didn't have the proper tools like men and women today have and damaged numerous items that give an insight to what life what like during the Roman Empire, damaging paintings, buildings and statues telling us all about the ancient times in Rome during the 1st century AD
Another important excavator was Giuseppe Fiorelli as he was the man who realised you could pour plaster into the remains of the bodies of men and women who died, giving the final moment of death for those who were unable to get away. This provides important DNA evidence that can prove exactly what is was that killed the men, women and animals who were unable to get away for this eruption. Giuseppe Fiorelli also began to treat artefacts with care as many excavators before him had damaged or stolen numerous pieces of important artefacts that can provide information of what Roman life was like in that exact period in time that no other Roman town can. Giuseppe Fiorelli is regarded as one of the most important excavators in Pompeii as he began to document and protect all documents beginning to prove how important and how significant this eruption was in history.
Excavations of the historic sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, that were covered in Pumice from the Plinian eruption of Mt Vesuvius, are still being excavated on today. These archaeologists are still uncovering numerous artefacts that are able to provide a 'snapshot' of what life was like in the Classical Period before the fall of the Roman Empire. These primary pieces of evidence found in Pompeii have moulded many modern towns in a similar image, such as the stepping stones in the streets which are still found in Roman cities. Pompeii and Herculaneum are fascinating sites for archaeologists and historians studying this specific period in time provide the snapshot image showing what life was like during the Roman Empire that no other towns in this empire can provide due to wars and modernisation.