Archaeological Areas of Pompei - Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata
Pompeji, Italy
02.05.2012
The Archaeological Sites of Pompeii are a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, in Italy. This site is known for its exceptional preservation of the city, which was buried under ash and pumice during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city was rediscovered in the 18th century and has since become one of the most famous and visited archaeological sites in the world.
The history of Pompeii dates back to the 8th century BC, when it was founded as a small town by the Oscans, an ancient Italic people. However, it was during the Roman Republic that Pompeii flourished and became an important commercial center due to its strategic location near the coast and the Sarno River.
The city was greatly influenced by Greek culture and art, which can be seen in the many Greek-style temples and frescoes found in the site. In 89 BC, Pompeii became a Roman colony and continued to prosper until the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The eruption buried the city under a thick layer of volcanic ash and pumice, preserving it almost perfectly. As a result, the city remained untouched for over 1,500 years until its rediscovery in 1748 by the Spanish engineer Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre.
Today, the archaeological site of Pompeii covers an area of 170 acres and includes the remains of temples, public buildings, houses, and even the bodies of its inhabitants who were petrified by the volcanic ash. Some of the most notable structures include the Amphitheatre of Pompeii, which is the oldest surviving Roman amphitheater, and the House of the Faun, a luxurious residence with well-preserved frescoes and mosaics.
Visitors can also see the Villa of the Mysteries, a villa with a famous fresco depicting a woman's initiation into the cult of Dionysus, and the Forum of Pompeii, the main square of the city which was the center of political, religious, and commercial activities.
Due to its unique state of preservation, the Archaeological Sites of Pompeii provide a valuable insight into the daily life of ancient Romans and their customs, beliefs, and architecture. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, archaeology, or ancient civilizations.
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When Vesuvius erupted on 24 August AD 79, it engulfed the two flourishing Roman towns of Pompei and Herculaneum, as well as the many wealthy villas in the area. These have been progressively excavated and made accessible to the public since the mid-18th century. The vast expanse of the commercial town of Pompei contrasts with the smaller but better-preserved remains of the holiday resort of Herculaneum, while the superb wall paintings of the Villa Oplontis at Torre Annunziata give a vivid impression of the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the wealthier citizens of the Early Roman Empire.
Pompeii ( pom-PAY(-ee), Latin: [pɔmˈpei̯.iː]) was a city in what is now the municipality of Pompei, near Naples, in the Campania region of Italy. Along with Herculaneum, Stabiae, and many surrounding villas, the city was buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Largely preserved under the ash, Pompeii offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried, as well as insight into ancient urban planning. It was a wealthy town of 10,000 to 20,000 residents at the time it was destroyed. It hosted many fine public buildings and luxurious private houses with lavish decorations, furnishings and artworks, which were the main attractions for early excavators; subsequent excavations have found hundreds of private homes and businesses reflecting various architectural styles and social classes, as well as numerous public buildings. Organic remains, including wooden objects and human bodies, were interred in the ash; their eventual decay allowed archaeologists to create moulds of figures in their final moments of life. The numerous graffiti carved on outside walls and inside rooms provide a wealth of examples of the largely lost Vulgar Latin spoken colloquially at the time, contrasting with the formal language of classical writers.
Following its destruction, Pompeii remained largely undisturbed until its rediscovery in the late 16th century. Major excavations did not begin until the mid-18th century, which marked the emergence of modern archeology; initial efforts to unearth the city were haphazard or marred by looting, resulting in many items or sites being damaged or destroyed. By 1960, most of Pompeii had been uncovered but left in decay; further major excavations were banned or limited to targeted, prioritised areas. Since 2018, these efforts have led to new discoveries in some previously unexplored areas of the city, including a banquet hall adorned with rare well-preserved frescoes depicting various mythological scenes and figures.
Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, owing to its status as "the only archaeological site in the world that provides a complete picture of an ancient Roman city." It is among the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, with approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.
