There is an overwhelmingly surreal sensation when walking through the ruins of Pompeii, a city that was once forgotten, but is now visited by about 2.5 million tourists every year.
There you are, surrounded by beautiful mountainous views and massive worn-down structures from a time so inconceivable, yet so famously known.
The eruption and excavation
Around 79 AD in the Province of Naples, Mount Vesuvius chaotically erupted, leaving the city of Pompeii buried beneath pumice and ash, forgotten for over 1,500 years. According to Atlas Obscura, on the day of the eruption, around noon, Mount Vesuvius spewed ash hundreds of feet up into the air for about 18 hours straight. Ash poured down on the cities surrounding Vesuvius, completely filling streets and courtyards, collapsing roofs, and blocking doors.
The following morning, the volcano’s cone collapsed, causing a hundred mile per hour avalanche of hot mud and ash that flooded the city for over 5 miles. Pompeii and its smaller sister village Herculaneum disappeared under the flood.
In 1738, the site — which amazingly remained preserved under the eruption’s debris — was discovered, and Pompeii’s name was reborn.
When walking through these ruins, it’s impossible not to place oneself in the shoes of the Pompeiians. The world thinks of these victims even more so due to the preserved bodies showcased for visitors to see.
The eruption left Pompeii and its citizens buried 8-9 feet, encasing the bodies in layers of the hardened pumice and ash. According to Ranker, in 1863, Italian archaeologist Guiseppe Fiorelli headed the excavation efforts of the previously forgotten site. During excavation, Fiorelli determined that soft ashes were cavities left from the dead.
Fiorelli is responsible for filling the voids in these bodies with high-grade plaster, and it is thanks to him that the tragedy of Pompeii, and its victims, was brought to life for all to see, learn, and remember. `
How were the bodies preserved?
It is estimated that nearly 2,000 people died after the eruption of Vesuvius. Since the mid-19th century excavations led by Fiorelli, about 3/4 of Pompeii’s 165 acres have been excavated and 1,150 individuals have been discovered.
As a child, when you learn about Pompeii in the classroom and read about the story in storybooks, it may seem as if these bodies were actually frozen in time, intact and perfectly plastered. I recall thinking in elementary school that there were entirely preserved humans inside the plaster.
While there are many myths about the bodies of Pompeii and how they were created, the truth is that to create the preserved bodies, Fiorelli and his team poured plaster of Paris into the soft cavities they found in the ash. Plaster of Paris is a quick-setting gypsum plaster made up of calcium sulfate hemihydrate (a fine white powder), which hardens when moistened and dried.
These cavities were outlines of the decomposed bodies at the site. Astonishingly, they maintained their shape and form despite their soft tissue decomposing. Plaster poured into the ash filled the spaces were soft tissue previously existed.
Also according to Ranker, a common misconception is that the plaster bodies are empty inside. However, the soft cavities left in the ash still held the bones of the cadavers. Once the plaster hardened, the bones were enclosed within.
What we have today for all to see are the plaster casts of the last men, women, children and even animals of Pompeii, in their final poses, clothing, and facial expressions, coming back to life.
What to expect at the ruins
At the ruins, you can find some of these casts, each with their own room, surrounded by other excavated remains and artifacts. When approaching the casts, voices are lowered, leaving only mumbled whispers and moments of awe and silence.
First, you’ll come across the cast of a man who appears to be resting peacefully in a sleeping position. According to the tour guide, this man most likely died laying down, and in an attempt to cover his face from the hot mud and ash.
Following the laying man, is the cast of a person sitting down, knees to their chest, and hands covering their mouth.
Next, and one of the most fascinating casts for tourists to view, is the cast of a dog. The dog visibly has a collar with a loop for a chain, and lies on his back with his legs sprawled in the air.
After the dog, and the final cased display on this strip of the ruins, is the cast of a small child.
Laying down, with arms in a confused and frightened position, this child was discovered alongside an adult male and female, predicted to be his parents, and a younger child who appeared to be asleep on the mother’s lap, according to DailyMail. The cast of the boy is arguably one of the more emotionally triggering to see, as it really captivates the loss of entire families and the horror that not only adults, but children as this one experienced.
While visiting these casts may be grim, it is unlike any other opportunity to witness history right before one’s eyes.
Visiting from Connecticut, Carol Ochoa was shocked to be witnessing the bodies of some of the victims affected by the tragedy. “It is incredible to see the exact positions in which these victims suffered the volcanic eruption, and to be able to see what they were actually wearing and what their faces looked like. It makes it feel so much more real, and I know it has helped me better understand what that day was like for the citizens of Pompeii,” she said.
Discovery is ongoing present day
Nearly 2,000 years after Vesuvius’s eruption, more facts about the bodies of Pompeii are being discovered thanks to CT scans and modern science. The bodies have provided scientists with information to determine what life was like prior to the eruption.
In 2015, a 16-layer CAT technology provided by Philips Spa Healthcare began to be used to analyze the bodies. A team of researchers under the appointment of the Archaeological Superintendence of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabia began scanning the 86 plaster casts Fiorelli made.
CT scans have revealed the clothes and skeletal structures of these bodies. This investigation has also showed that victims, many running out of houses in attempts at escaping, were killed by serious head injuries, most likely from debris that collapsed from buildings. DailyMail shares impressive photos of the casts and their scans.
Interestingly enough, results from the scans have also revealed that the people of Pompeii were pretty healthy. One of the most astounding discoveries for scientists have been that Pompeiians had great dental care. According to Ranker, not a single cavity has been discovered on the bodies. Mount Vesuvius erupted prior to the invention of processed sugar, and the Romans had a diet high in fruits, vegetables, protein, fiber.
Where to find casts
The Garden of the Fugitives holds the largest number of victims in one place. Thirteen people sought refuge in this fruit orchard. At the Villa of Mysteries, where the roof collapsed and trapped people inside, nine sets of remains were found. There is also one plaster cast inside the Caupona Pherusa tavern.
At The Stabian Thermal baths and the Macellum, two plaster casts can be found, and the Horrea and Olitorium hold several more, including a pig.
In 2010 an exhibition opened at the Antiquarium de Boscoreale near Pompeii, including several plaster casts. Many artifacts from Pompeii are located at the National Museum in Naples.
A visit to Italy would not be complete without a visit to the ruins of Pompeii. The history that unveiled here is unlike what can be found from any other historically enriching experience.
We don’t know who the victims of Pompeii were. We do know they walked these streets. We know they were mothers and fathers, sons and daughters. We may not know their names, but we know and must keep alive their story.
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