Memories from AD 79: The New Permanent Exhibition at the Pompeii Archaeological Park
The eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 was not just a catastrophe, but an event that "frozen" Pompeii at the very moment it destroyed it.
This tragic preservation has left exceptional traces of the daily lives of its inhabitants, now protected and showcased in a new permanent exhibition path that combines science, memory, and profound emotional impact.
The Fiery Giant: Somma-Vesuvius
To understand Pompeii, one must look at its imposing neighbor. Somma-Vesuvius is an active volcano dating back 40,000 years.
At the time of the eruption, it appeared as a fertile, green mountain, unaware of the caldera preparing to explode.
The AD 79 event lasted approximately 32 hours, during which an eruptive column of gas and lapilli reached heights of up to 34 km.
Destruction occurred in stages: first, a rain of pumice caused roofs to collapse, followed by a series of pyroclastic currents—rapid, glowing clouds of gas and volcanic fragments—that overwhelmed anyone seeking shelter or attempting to flee.
The Magic of Casts: Transforming Voids into Presence
Some of the most moving testimonies of Pompeii are its casts.
Often mistaken for petrified bodies, they are actually the result of an archaeological breakthrough in the 19th century.
When the bodies of victims were buried by hot ash, the material solidified rapidly around them.
Over time, the organic tissues decomposed, leaving hollow spaces in the hardened ash.
In 1863, Giuseppe Fiorelli had the idea of pouring liquid plaster into these cavities.
Once the volcanic material was removed, human figures emerged with incredible detail: postures, expressions, and even clothing.
Today, this technique is supported by modern technology such as CT scans, 3D scans, and DNA analysis, allowing for the reconstruction of personal stories and family ties.
For instance, DNA testing on victims from the House of the Golden Bracelet revealed they were not actually a family group as previously thought.
Interrupted Lives: Stories of Escape and Hope
The exhibition documents various stories of those who tried to save themselves:
House of the Cryptoporticus: Ten victims were found here; they had tried to protect their heads with tiles, a desperate attempt to shield themselves from the falling pumice.
House of the Golden Bracelet: A group of four, including children, was overwhelmed while attempting to flee toward the sea with a collection of jewelry and coins.
Large Palaestra: Seventy-five victims were identified here, including a horse and its handler.
Escape Routes: Many bodies were found along streets and near city gates, such as Porta Nola and Porta Stabia, as residents rushed toward the harbor in a vain search for safety.
Beyond Bodies: Objects and Nature
The cast technique was not limited to humans; it also allowed for the recovery of household furnishings, providing "photographic snapshots" of entire rooms with beds, cupboards, chests, and even doors with their original locking systems.
Furthermore, organic remains (animal and plant) offer an incredible look into the diet and economy of the time.
We know Pompeians consumed large amounts of legumes, cereals, dried fruit, and bread, as well as pork, beef, and fish
Animals were not just food: equids assisted with work, while dogs and tortoises lived in homes as companions.
Science and Respect: The Imprint of Pain
The display of these remains, described as the "imprint of pain," requires great sensitivity today.
Casts are not mere objects, but people caught in the final instant of their existence
For this reason, the exhibition invites reflection and respect, while offering science new data to understand not just how they died, but above all how the inhabitants of this time-still city lived.
The Casts of Pompeii: A Journey Through the History of the Eruption of 79 AD
The Great Gymnasium at the Excavation Site
Source: Archaeological Park of Pompeii
