Pompeii Research Paper

In the city of Pompeii on the morning of August 24, 79 CE, everyday life was commencing as usual. The stirrings of the mountain in the distance went unnoticed until an explosion rocked the streets. Panic broke out as people tried to flee the city and parents made vain efforts to protect their children from the falling ash and rocks that would cover the city. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius did not just demolish a city, it wiped out an entire civilization.

Beginning in the year 62 CE, violent earthquakes rocked the region, warning of volcanic activity. The eruption, beginning that fateful August morning, lasted over 24 hours. The eruption was the first one ever recorded in history. An explosion came from the mountain and fine ash fell on the
What we found was a city literally "frozen in time". About two thousand inhabitants were unable to get away in time and perished. Archaeologist, Giuseppe Fiorelli devised a technique for injecting plaster into the cavities left by decomposed bodies in the volcanic materials. When the plaster hardened, a cast was formed showing the bodies exactly as they died, right down to the expressions on their faces. Uncovered were groups of bodies overcome before they could flee, parents attempting to protect their children, and even dogs still chained to posts. According to the Associated Press, "...the lava-preserved town was enjoying the peak of prosperity when it was snuffed out by the erupting Vesuvius" ("Ancient Hotel...Found at Pompeii"). Pompeii was a once-thriving city of theatres, businesses, schools, cemeteries, baths, and homes. Unfortunately, we had to find it "frozen" during a crisis; although views of everyday life were still evident such as a bakery with bread still in the oven. Also uncovered were scrolls from Pliny the Younger, describing the eruption in detail as well as details of his uncle, Pliny the Elder, perishing in the blast. These scrolls provided a personal insight to the infamous August day in 79 CE