The Pompeii excavation is underway, nearly 2,000 years after Mount Vesuvius destroyed the city. Archaeologists found several items that showed us how terrifying the disastrous volcanic eruption was to the residents who didn't make it alive.
Excavations in Pompeii
What happened to Pompeii was a human tragedy. About 1,500 skeletons have been recovered at the site. The latest dig found two women and a child of unknown sex, BBC reported.
It is clear from where the victims were discovered that they were attempting to find shelter. The outlet noted that they probably believed they would be secure by hiding under a stairway and had not anticipated the roof falling under the weight of the ash and lappa. The massive stones crushed their bodies.
They also found a burnt bed. It was already a charred mass and was barely recognizable due to the fire, apart from its broad outline seared into the walls and floor. Looking closely at it, there were burnt fragments of textile bedclothes and mattresses.
The experts speculated that the carbonized remains were due to a fire before the eruption. They believed a lamp might have been knocked over due to panic, and the residents could not escape it.
Park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel muses that learning more about the individuals who didn't survive the catastrophe would be intriguing. He added that they wondered if the people were poor, if there were more women than men, or if wealthy people tried to protect their property.
A wall that separates three rooms is located in the back of the area that has so far been excavated. More astounding artwork has been revealed here due to the removal of lapilli and ash.
Another exquisite fresco is in the center chamber and covered by a sheet. It depicts the scene from the Achilles myth where the mythical hero soldier, who had a painful Achilles heel, attempted to flee the Trojan War by dressing as a woman.
Alessandro Russo, the co-lead archaeologist on the new dig, said he removed a further cover in the third chamber to find a stunning shrine. They noticed two yellow snakes climb a burgundy background. According to him, those devils are good. He pointed to a fresco further down the wall and just above something that appeared to be a box and said it was the kitchen.
He believed they had made offerings like fish or fruits to their gods there. The snake is reportedly associated with gods and humans.
Scaffolding is being erected around the houses, still standing to create protective roofing as the insula is further revealed. The park plans to build a high boardwalk for visitors to view the newly discovered artifacts.
What Happened to Pompeii?
According to National Geographic, Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted in the summer of 79 A.D. It sent 20 kilometers of hazardous gas and smoke into the air, quickly reaching the town.
Pompeii and many of its 10,000 inhabitants perished under a layer of ash almost instantly. Up to its rediscovery in 1748, Pompeii was essentially lost and undiscovered.
Scientists have determined exactly what transpired on that dreadful day thanks to excavations, which are still ongoing.
Going to the Pompeii ruins is like traveling across time. As bodies decayed and created holes in the ash, it helped preserve structures, artwork, and even the shapes of bodies. All of it made it possible for specialists to fill in the blanks that may not have been preserved at many other Roman sites.
Scientists think Pompeii was a thriving town where wealthy Romans would vacation because of what they discovered. High walkways and stepping stones were on well-paved streets to prevent people from slipping in the mud. People could unwind by taking a bath in a public bath, watching gladiators fight or chariot races in an amphitheater, or watching plays in two theaters.
Check out more news and information on Volcanic Eruptions in Science Times.
