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02/18/2025
The Preservation of Pompeii: The Casts of the Victims
This image shows archaeologists uncovering the haunting remains of Pompeii, the ancient Roman city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The catastrophic eruption buried Pompeii under layers of ash and pumice, preserving the city and its tragic final moments. Today, Pompeii is one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites, offering a unique window into the daily life of an ancient Roman city.
How the Casts Are Made
The bodies seen in this image are not the actual remains of Pompeii’s victims but plaster casts, created using a technique developed by Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli in 1863. When excavators discovered cavities in the hardened volcanic ash, they realized these voids were left by the decomposition of organic material, such as human bodies and wooden objects.
Fiorelli’s method involved:
1. Filling the cavities with liquid plaster (and later resin for better preservation).
2. Allowing the plaster to harden, creating a detailed cast of the original form.
3. Excavating the surrounding ash to reveal the cast.
This process captured not only the victims’ positions but also intricate details like their clothing, facial expressions, and even items they held in their final moments. The casts provide a haunting and poignant glimpse into the terror and chaos of the eruption.
Pompeii’s Tragic End
When Mount Vesuvius erupted, it spewed a deadly combination of superheated gases, ash, and pyroclastic flows. Many of Pompeii’s 15,000-20,000 inhabitants perished instantly due to the extreme heat, while others were buried as they tried to escape. The sudden burial preserved buildings, frescoes, mosaics, and daily objects in remarkable detail.
