Hundreds of years on from the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius people are still fascinated by the city of Pompeii. Countless books, films, historical works, exhibitions and research has been created about the unforeseen eruption. But it wasn’t the first, nor the last volcanic eruption, so why are we still so intrigued?
It took less than 24 hours for the eruption completely decimate the city, killing thousands and freezing it in time.
Back in time
Sixteen years before the horrific eruption, the entire region shook in what was a significant earthquake. Scientists now understand it to have been a warning of the disaster to come. It wouldn’t be immediate though. It would be sixteen years before Mount Vesuvius erupted though.
Erupting
Eye-witnesses wrote that a “cloud of unusual size” appeared above the city. Volcanic gasses and debris were blown into the air. As the debris cooled, it drifted back to the Earth. This first warning gave many people time to flee, however conditions quickly worsened. As more ash fell, air conditions worsened. Eventually a surge of lava, moving at 160-kilometres-per-hour rushed into to the city. The superheated lava swallowed everything, and everyone, in its path.
By the time the eruption had finished, Pompeii has been covered in ash and more than 15,000 people had died. Following the eruption, Pompeii was abandoned. It wouldn’t be rediscovered for centuries.
Rediscovery
Pompeii was first rediscovered in 1748 by a group looking for ancient artefacts. As they dug, they quickly learnt that the ash has acted as a fantastic preserver. Morbid, yes, but fantastic for historical studies.
For 2000 years, skeletons had been perfectly held in the ways in which they fell, objects and household hood were intact. In fact, entire buildings were still standing. Today, excavation works are still underway as scientists and historians work to uncover more of the city.
Why care today?
But why do we care about it today still? Well, Pompeii is a reminder of where have been. A warning to pay attention to the Earths movements, and a homage to the lives that we live. Pompeii reminds us to celebrate life and understand that it is fleeting.
Pompeii allows us to learn about the ways we have changed. Today death has become taboo. It is hidden behind secret walls, and in coded messages. Excavations have found delicate mosaics depicting smiling skeletons and positive emotions towards death. This appreciation for life and eventual death has bene lost today. Perhaps we can learn from Pompeii to embrace the finite experience which is life.
The Pompeii remains are also a permanent reminder of respect for the people of the past. As body casts travel the world as part of exhibitions and displays, it must be remembered how these people died. Many of them fleeing for their lives and likely terrified.
Today we can learn many lessons from the events in Pompeii.
You can explore Pompeii and learn more about the events of 79 A.D on our Private Pompeii Tour
Visit the Pompeii Tours website for more information.
This post was originally posted on https://sightseeingtoursitaly.wordpress.com/2020/01/03/why-are-we-still-so-interested-in-pompeii/
