Pompeii was an ancient city in Italy that was destroyed by natural disaster. It wasn't destroyed by molten lava spewing and covering the city as many people believe.
It was destroyed by an earthquake in 62AD, several years before Mount Vesuvius errupted in 79AD.This accounts for the buildings being without roofs.
This also accounts for the lack of bodies found in the archaelogical excavation.
The explanation: the majority of people who died in Pompeii died in the earthquake.
The bodies had been removed, and the city was being rebuilt. There is proof of rebuilding
in progress because the rebuilt portions of the city were being built in a different style. In some cases, broken columns were being rebuilt by placing new materials on top of the broken columns.
New columns were being built near the locations of the older broken ones. The huge outline of Vesuvius' crater can be seen from the city forum (2nd picture)
Of the bodies found in the excavations, one was dead before the erruption.
This is said to be because the body was found in the position that bodies were prepared
for cremation. The one pictured is in a position where he is covering his face with a cloth
because the fumes from the erruption were so strong. At the time, the people didn't know
that the fumes were deadly, only that they smelled bad. Several bodies were found in one
building. They were lying in a row on the floor as if sleeping. Most likely, they were
slaves who were there to rebuild the city. When I write about bodies, I don't mean the actual bodies.
The bodies had long past decayed, leaving caverns within the volcanic ash. As archaeologists
find the caverns, they carefully remove debris, leaving the bones inside the cavern.
Plaster is poured in and a cast is made. This produces a "statue" which accurately portrays the
original person.
Archaeologists have been working to excavate the once wealthy city which was the region's
center of commerce. Excavation is not yet complete, although work on the excavation has been
done since the 1700's.
Many interesting items have been discovered over the years. There are beautiful elaborate mosaics at the
entrances of many homes of the welathy class of Pompeii citizens. This one depicts a boar.
Some of the homes and businesses displayed beautiful paintings depicting
a favorite God or activity. This bar displays a painting of brave soldiers
in their armor.
One extremely opulent residence contained
many paintings depicting the goddess Venus.
Daily live in Pompeii during its days of commerce was good for its wealthy class.
Pompeii had running water throughout the city. Overhead lead pipes carried
the water. Bath houses were places to relax and have conversation. The bath houses had multiple
rooms. The varois rooms had water of different temperatures. Some had hot steamy water, some warm
and others cold. The effect is said to have been very refreshing as a person moved from one room to the next,
gently acclimatizing to the next temperature.
Daily life also included trips to the nearby bakery. One bakery was working at the time life in Pompeii came to a standstill.
Within the oven, 24 loaves of bread were found! Quite a find.
At the bakery, huge mills were located near the ovens. The flour was ground right at the bakery, so the bread was very fresh.
No wealthy Roman city would have been complete without a colosseum. Pompeii was no different. The eliptical
structure is remarkibly in tact. We were able to climb the stairs and enter. We were free to roam within. We walked through the stands,
then wandered into the field of the arena for a view from that vantage. (I wouldn't have wanted to be there during the heyday of the city!).
This is a nice picture of me with the boys , relaxing on a bench in front of ruins