Challenging the Facts About the Lost City of Pompeii

Science has changed many of our first theories on the disaster.

When Mount Vesuvius erupted on 24 August 79 AD, it created one of the most unique and remarkable historical and archaeological sites in the world. The desolation of Pompeii was one of the most devastating natural disasters in ancient history, with a huge death toll. However, few people know that out of the inhabitants, twelve thousand escaped. This still left nearly two thousand people dead.

The Eruption Begins

When the volcano erupted, it started by sending a mushroom cloud of ash and pumice into the air. This ten-mile-high cloud could be seen by many in the surrounding area. Pumice stone was the first thing to rain down on the people of Pompeii. These stones continued pelting the locals for hours, reaching a depth of five metres.

Some who thought they were safe inside were crushed as their flat roofs collapsed under the weight of the stones. It’s possible that once the pumice fall eased, many fled their homes in search of safer shelter. But then came the toxic cloud of ash and poisonous gas, which struck and killed many more.

Excavation of Pompeii

The first known excavation of the area started by accident in the 18th century. Builders working on a palace for the Bourbon king uncovered part of the buried city. In 1777, the first woman was found amongst the ruins.

In 1864, Giuseppe Fiorelli discovered air pockets where people had once lain and decomposed. These voids were most prominent along a street he named the Alley of Skeletons. He and his team poured plaster into these cavities to capture the imprints left behind. These haunting casts became some of Pompeii's most iconic relics.

However, not all of them were accurate. Recent scientific advancements have challenged some of the long-standing assumptions about these casts. Scans have shown that historians may have shaped some to resemble humans more closely, using wire and metal supports. They were also rather liberal with storytelling, attaching fictional narratives to the dead.

Map of Pompeii

Stories from Buildings

There were other preserved artefacts including the graffiti scrawled on the walls of homes. These provide insight into public announcements and the political landscape at the time. Election notices reveal who held power within Pompeii.

Further study of houses revealed drawings made by children. Until these were uncovered, apart from some heartbreaking child casts, little evidence of children in Pompeii existed. These simple pictures of animals and games suggest that children were active, artistic, and playful.

Excavations also showed that Pompeii had Greek roots before becoming Roman. A Greek Doric Temple, dating back to the 6th century BC, was among the ruins.

The House of the Craftsman

One notable scene shows a man slumped inside his dining room beside a woman. Discovered in the 1930s, later investigations found the man’s genome perfectly preserved. Originally assumed to be an elderly couple who couldn’t flee, it was later revealed that the man was only between thirty-five and forty.

The pair likely chose to have their final meal together, knowing they could not escape due to ill health. The man, it turns out, suffered from spinal tuberculosis, also known as Pott’s disease. Bacteria in his DNA confirmed this diagnosis.

DNA analysis has also revealed the cultural and genetic diversity of Pompeii’s residents, with markers linking them to Ancient Rome, Sardinia, and other European regions.

The Fugitives

Some of the most famous casts lie at the entrance to Pompeii. Known as “the fugitives,” these thirteen bodies were found close together, just inside the city walls. When they were uncovered, Fiorelli crafted detailed stories about their relationships and final moments. These fictional tales became accepted truths for years, but recent forensic investigations have disputed many of the conceived ideas.

Why these people didn’t flee when they were within reach of escape remains a mystery. Perhaps they believed the worst was over.

One of the most discussed casts was believed to be a merchant father. He was later revealed to be more of a grandfather figure, suffering from arthritis in his wrist. A fracture in his shoulder suggests he either fell or was struck before death.

Two of the smaller casts were dubbed “the brothers”, guessed to be around four or five years old. Surprisingly, dental experts confirmed that Fiorelli had got the ages more or less right.

All the victims had near-perfect teeth, indicating a good diet in Pompeii.

The most heartbreaking discovery came from a cast believed to be an eight-year-old girl. Dental evidence showed that the child’s teeth had not erupted, suggesting she was actually between twelve and sixteen months old.

Another surprise came from the cast known as “the servant”, long thought to have died carrying his master’s possessions. Scans revealed this was a teenage boy. Some of his bones had not yet fused, and he was wearing shoes, a luxury item at the time, suggesting he was no servant but a member of a wealthy family.

All thirteen casts are now thought to belong to one extended family, not three separate ones as previously believed.

Challenging Preconceived Ideas

As science advances, more myths are being dismantled. Everything we think we know about Pompeii might not be entirely accurate.

One major misconception is the date of the eruption. This comes from the writings of Pliny the Younger, who fled the volcano and claimed the date was 24 August. But analysis of food and clothing suggests the eruption may have happened later in the year.

Ironically the ash that rained down from Vesuvius, was the very thing that preserved many of the dead for further exploration. Pompeii continues to offer insights into history, science, and the social structure of the time. Some argue we should leave the dead in peace and stop excavating what is effectively a mass grave. But the Romans believed remembrance was key to entering the afterlife. In that sense, our enduring fascination with Pompeii is a tribute to its lost citizens.

Vesuvius Today

Mount Vesuvius remains an active volcano. Emergency evacuation plans are still in place for towns and cities around it. Whether it could ever unleash the same level of devastation again is anyone’s guess.