Did you know that before 79 AD there wasn’t a name for volcano? Well thanks to the huge eruption in Pompeii a name was created,Οὐεσούιος. This is because no one in their area was experiencing volcanic eruptions. Therefore, when the Volcano called Mt. Vesuvius was showing signs of eruption, the people didn’t know because no one was alive to see or be around for the last eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Pompeii’s volcano Mt. Vesuvius showed many signs of eruption, but no one knew it was going to erupt. But the volcano was showing signs for years before the eruption. Οὐεσούιος is the word used to describe Mt. Vesuvius.
Before the eruption in August 24th, 79AD a word for volcano didn’t even exist. About 13% of Pompeii perished in the initial blast. An estimated 2000 died when the overall population was 15000. The initial eruption killed many but, in our imagination we could only go back in time and see how the poor people reacted to the eruption. There were many artifacts excavated from Pompeii, many were preserved, there’s so many records of roman life in the artifacts. The eruption at Pompeii was very devastating many people died. Over 2000 people died during the eruption.
The volcano had blown its cap. Many people didn’t know what to do during the eruption. Mount Vesuvius was the volcano that had been showing signs of eruption for decade before the eruption. Nobody understood what the sign, they just thought it was the gods showing them signs. The eruption was like an explosion from hell. It all happened so fast. The people of Pompeii and vacationers that were visiting were trapped very quickly. Molten ash, pumice and sulfuric gas miles into the atmosphere. The area was plagued with poisonous gases that were released from the volcano.
They fumigated the air with their stench. Tons of debris and ash fell from the sky. Many people burned from the falling debris tried to find shelter in homes and other buildings. The ash from the volcano came into the town like a flood, it showered the city. A Lot of people were hiding in their homes from the ash, but the ash got really heavy and collapsed the homes roofs in on the people. Some people tried to sail or paddle away but many died in their efforts. Many people didn’t have time to react the pumice and ash came down the side of the mountain at 70 mph.
It destroyed anything in its path. The people killed preserved under the ash and pumice. The position they lay in is from their last moments. The ash and pumice temperature was at about 1300 degrees Fahrenheit. There were many artifacts that were saved under the ash from eruption. There were so many artifacts that saved the history and daily life of the people who lived and died in Pompeii. Even the bodies that lay under the ash and pumice are artifacts. They were all preserved from the feet deep ash and pumice and debris that covered the ancient history for so many years.
Some artifacts that were found were paintings, pottery, bowls, and other household items. Along with the body’s that were encased like they were in cement. There were also many buildings intact. Although some of the city is still under the ash and debris, there are still many people that come to visit the ancient city. The most astounding artifacts of Pompeii are the body’s. These people were going around their everyday life and the BOOM! That volcano changed so many things. For example, we wouldn’t know all we know about the Pompeii people.
The artifacts would be so degraded and not as it acted as they are to this day. Pottery showed us about their everyday life along with writing on them. The people of Pompeii didn’t suffocate to death; they actually were burned to death. There wasn’t enough time for them to suffocate. Humans weren’t the only things encased in a cast. There were dogs and other pets to. The people you see aren’t the real people from the times during the excavation researchers noticed that their final positions were still there so they poured plaster into the holes and that’s how the cast people came to life.
About 1,150 people’s skeletons have been excavated since the ancient city was found. Although Pompeii is still being excavated plasters are not being made. This is because the plaster damages the fragile corpse and surrounding area where they pour it. The most famous plaster was a small dog with a collar around its neck. Pompeii is one of the longest excavated sites in history. There were these beautiful villas that portrayed the artistic and opulent lifestyle. The beautiful villas were mostly enjoyed by the wealthy. About one third of the city is still buried in the debris.
Even after all these years of work, it’s been hundreds of years. There’s not a rush to get everything uncovered thought there being very patient with the city. Many people are worried about the site because of weather conditions. We were very lucky that the ash covered the city for many years preserving it in time. But now that most of it has been uncovered by the archaeologists. Uncovering the city to find all the artifacts was good and bad at the same time. For example, we got to know and study a bunch of things about Pompeii but at the same time we exposed the site to the weather, pollution, etc. . The site is slowly degrading away and it’s all because of us.
Many people died in the volcanic eruption but many survived to. A naval fleet stationed at Museum on the other side of the Bay of Naples they sailed across and successfully saved some people. Their commander Pliny the Elder sadly died but he died a hero. His nephew Pliny the Younger documented everything he saw during the rescue. He wrote a description of his uncle’s death and how the eruption looked and what had happened while he watched from a safe distance.
It’s highly unlikely that any of the survivors were from Pompeii. His uncle was the commander who died trying to save the people of Pompeii. He succeeded and did same some but he died trying to save the people. In conclusion, it was very upsetting what happened to the people of Pompeii. Although there were many artifacts excavated from Pompeii, many were preserved, there’s so many records of roman life in the artifacts. There is such a clear picture now because of the things that were found in the city. Although many died their deaths furthered science and they will never be forgotten.