The other Pompeii: The incredible archaeological finds of Herculaneum

In its prime, Herculaneum was a thriving seaside town nestled at the western base of Mount Vesuvius, not far from the grand city of Pompeii.

Inhabited as early as the 6th century BC, it was a well-established locale rich with public buildings, elegant villas, markets, and bathhouses.

Its close proximity to the Bay of Naples made it an appealing retreat for Rome's wealthier citizens, seeking respite from the urban bustle of the capital.

The peace and prosperity that the residents enjoyed, however, were to be tragically short-lived.

On August 24th, 79 AD, the seemingly serene Mount Vesuvius unleashed a catastrophic eruption, blanketing the neighboring cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under layers of ash, mud, and pyroclastic material.

The eruption occurred with such unexpected ferocity that the inhabitants had little time to escape.

As Pliny the Younger, an eyewitness to the disaster, wrote, the towns were completely buried, the populace annihilated, and a flourishing civilization brought to a standstill.

While Pompeii was covered in a relatively light layer of ash and pumice, Herculaneum met a different fate.

A series of pyroclastic surges—rapid, ground-hugging avalanches of hot ash, pumice, and volcanic gas—descended upon the city.

These surges, reaching temperatures of up to 500 degrees Celsius, instantaneously killed all they touched and encased the city in a thick, solid layer of material.

This process, although devastating for the city's inhabitants, paradoxically preserved Herculaneum in an extraordinary state of conservation, protecting structures, organic materials, and daily-life objects that usually perish over time.

The rediscovery of Herculaneum is an epic tale in itself, filled with fortuitous chance, tireless dedication, and significant advances in archaeological techniques.

The city remained hidden beneath layers of solidified volcanic material for over 1600 years, its location forgotten, its treasures concealed.

Herculaneum's journey back to light began inadvertently in 1709, when a farmer digging a well stumbled upon the ancient theatre of Herculaneum.

The initial excavations that followed were primarily treasure hunts, led by the curiosity and avarice of explorers rather than a drive for historical understanding.

In fact, the first systematic explorations of the site were undertaken in 1738 under the patronage of the King of Naples, Charles of Bourbon.

These early excavations were challenging and methodically crude, often resulting in damage to the fragile artifacts and structures.

However, the excavation techniques evolved over time, as did the understanding of the site's significance.

The 20th century saw a considerable shift in the approach to excavation, moving from treasure hunting to scientific archaeology.

Amedeo Maiuri, who oversaw the excavations at Herculaneum from 1927 to 1961, introduced methodical and systematic excavation techniques.

His work yielded tremendous results, with vast areas of the city brought to light, revealing residential buildings, shops, public spaces, and bathhouses.

The turn of the 21st century saw the use of advanced technologies in the excavations, like ground-penetrating radar, computer modeling, and DNA analysis.

These tools allowed archaeologists not only to discover and preserve the artifacts but also to gain more profound insights into the life and death of Herculaneum's inhabitants.

Over the centuries, the meticulous work of archaeologists at Herculaneum has led to an array of discoveries that offer an unparalleled insight into ancient Roman society.

The artifacts, buildings, and organic materials unearthed paint a vivid picture of daily life, cultural practices, and societal norms in Herculaneum before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

One of the key aspects that sets Herculaneum apart from other archaeological sites is the exceptional preservation of its buildings.

Structures ranging from the modest, like shops and small homes, to the grand, such as elaborate villas, can be seen in astonishing detail.

For example, the House of the Stags is a sprawling, luxurious residence, replete with ornate wall frescoes, intricate floor mosaics, and two statues of stags being attacked by dogs in its courtyard.

It serves as an eloquent testament to the opulence that was accessible to the city's elite.

Beyond the large structures, Herculaneum has yielded a rich assortment of smaller artifacts that were part of daily life in the Roman era.

These include household objects, such as furniture, utensils, and ornaments, as well as personal items like jewelry, coins, and toys.

Many of these items are remarkably well preserved, offering a tangible connection to the past.

Perhaps one of the most significant discoveries in Herculaneum is the Villa of the Papyri, named for the large collection of papyrus scrolls found within its library.

These scrolls, although carbonized by the heat of the volcanic surge, are being painstakingly deciphered using advanced technologies such as multi-spectral imaging.

They offer a unique glimpse into the literary and philosophical life of the Roman period.

One of the more poignant findings in Herculaneum is the human remains. Over 300 skeletons were found in beachfront warehouses where people had likely sought refuge from the volcanic eruption.

The poignant tableau of families huddled together in their final moments offers a stark reminder of the human cost of the disaster.

The study of these remains, coupled with DNA analysis, has provided valuable insights into the demographics, health, and diet of the city's inhabitants.

The archaeological wealth of Herculaneum offers an unrivaled lens into the daily life, social structures, cultural norms, and economic conditions of ancient Roman society.

From the architectural design of homes to the items of everyday use, from the precious papyrus scrolls to the poignant human remains, each discovery contributes to a deeper understanding of life as it was lived nearly two millennia ago.

The homes in Herculaneum, from the most opulent villas to the more humble dwellings, give insights into Roman domestic life and social hierarchy.

The grandeur of residences like the House of the Stags, with its courtyards, extensive rooms, and rich decorations, suggest the affluence of the city's elite.

In contrast, the smaller, simpler homes and apartment buildings point to the living conditions of the common populace.

The objects of daily use—kitchen utensils, furniture, personal accessories, toys—tell us about the routines, habits, and hobbies of Herculaneum's inhabitants.

The city's numerous shops, such as bakeries with their ovens and mills still intact, or the thermopolia (fast-food outlets of the Roman era) with their embedded terracotta jars, provide a glimpse into the economic activities and the food culture of the time.

A particularly significant insight into the cultural and intellectual life of the Roman period comes from the Villa of the Papyri.

The vast collection of papyrus scrolls found here indicates a high degree of literacy and a profound interest in philosophy and literature among the city's residents.

The study of the human remains discovered in Herculaneum has offered important information about the health, diet, and physical conditions of the populace.

The generally good condition of the teeth, for instance, suggests a diet low in sugars, while the signs of certain bone conditions provide information about common diseases and physical burdens.

Religion and spirituality, cornerstones of Roman society, are also palpable in Herculaneum.

Temples, shrines, and religious artifacts found in homes attest to the deeply ingrained religious practices and the pantheon of gods that the Romans worshipped.

While the wealth of discoveries in Herculaneum is undoubtedly thrilling, the preservation of this priceless historical site poses significant challenges.

Ensuring the longevity of the buildings, artifacts, and the overall archaeological site, while facilitating their study and public access, requires a delicate balance and ongoing commitment.

One of the principal challenges in the conservation of Herculaneum is the very element that led to its exceptional preservation: the volcanic material.

Over the centuries, the hardened pyroclastic flow that once preserved Herculaneum has begun to deteriorate, threatening the stability of the unearthed structures.

This problem is compounded by exposure to the elements and the inevitable wear and tear caused by thousands of visitors each year.

Another challenge is managing the site's unexcavated areas. Much of Herculaneum still lies buried, and while there's potential for further discoveries, there's also the risk of damaging the site through excavation.

Additionally, budget constraints and the technical complexities of urban archaeology make it impossible to excavate all at once.

Artifacts, especially organic ones, pose their own conservation issues. The papyrus scrolls from the Villa of the Papyri, for instance, are extremely delicate due to their carbonization and require sophisticated techniques to both preserve and decipher them.

The preservation of wall paintings, wooden objects, and other delicate finds requires continuous monitoring and innovative conservation techniques.

The proximity of modern Ercolano, the city that has grown around Herculaneum, adds to the challenges.

Urban encroachment and pollution, among other issues, present significant hurdles to the long-term preservation of the site.

Despite these challenges, considerable efforts are being made to conserve Herculaneum.

Various organizations, like the Herculaneum Conservation Project, have initiated programs to restore and maintain the ancient city.

In addition, modern technologies, such as digital mapping and 3D modeling, are being utilized to document the site as it stands today, helping to preserve Herculaneum for future generations, even if the physical site continues to deteriorate.