As a recent article in Science Magazine puts it, “The destruction of Pompeii, Italy, is one of the most well-preserved catastrophes in human history.”
What took place nearly two thousand years ago in 79 A.D. was a tragedy of considerable magnitude, but as archaeologists uncovered the ruins of this city over a period of centuries, the impact of the eruption of Vesuvius on individual citizens became increasingly obvious.
This region was populated at least as far back as the 6th or 7th century B.C. Pompeii grew to be a prosperous and significant trading center, not far from the Appian Way. All that changed over a couple of days as the city was buried in ash and pumice, and countless residents - probably more than a thousand - were poisoned by fumes, although scientists are still investigating the cause of deaths.
We two had visited Pompeii back in 2001. Since we were driving right by it on the way to the Naples Airport. Our driver arranged for a two hour private tour.
Imma proved to be an excellent guide.
She showed us main squares, private homes, the public baths, and business and government sites, including those selling fast food.
Two-thousand-year-old mosaics and frescoes were still visible.
It was an impressive grand finale to a successful trip.
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