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501 BCE
Herculaneum is founded
A rich history, for a time the port city is run by Greeks in this period. Due to it's location on the sea it is important for trade with evident links to Greece and others. -
50 BCE
Pompeii becomes Roman Colony
After joining a failed rebellion with Campania, Pompeii is conquered by Roman forces. The land is right next to Mt Vesuvius, 8 km away. -
62
Major Earthquake near Pompeii
Modern scientists believe this seismic event is thought to be a precursor to the catasrophic eruption in 79 A.D. -
79
Mt Vesuvius erupts
24th August 79 A.D The volcano ejected a cloud of stones and ash to a height of 33 km, spewing molten rock and pulverized pumice. Minor earthquakes preceded eruption for 4 days. M. Beard (2010) -
79
Pompeii Covered in ash
24th Augist 79 A.D. The people and buildings of Pompeii were covered in up to 12 different layers of tephra, in total 25 metres (82.0 ft) deep, which rained down for about six hours -
79
Herculaneum Destroyed
25th August 79 A.D. The city is destroyed by pyroclastic surge one day after eruption, during the night. Reports at time suggest people thought there were fires. -
109
Pliny the Younger writes letters describing eruption
Writes letters long after the fact to historian Tacitus. He describes the cloud of ash and smoke, which is now known as Plinus. He writes his observations from the perspective of his location Misenum, across the Bay of Naples -
Pompeii is Re-discovered
Discovered by architect Domenico Fontana while trying to redirect a river. -
Herculaneum re-discovered
Was discovered during the digging of a well. -
Herculaneum Excavation begins
Excavations are lead by Spanish engineer Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre. Historical artefacts from the site enter circulation of wealthy collectors. Are there ethical issues here? Who owns these items? Ramage, N. H. (1992). Goods, graves, and scholars: 18th-century archaeologists in Britain and Italy. American Journal of Archaeology, 653-661. -
Pompeii Excavation begins
Due to being covered in mostly ash and pumice and easier to excavate, Pompeii becomes the preferred site for historical artefacts for Ancient Rome. Excavations led by engineer Karl Weber. (Britannica.com, 2017) Examples of artefacts taken from Pompeii -
Giuseppe Fiorelli pioneers plaster technique
After finding a cavity in solid ash, Fiorelli instructs workers to pour plaster inside, giving a lifelike impression. -
Wilhelmina Jashemski begins work in Pompeii
Jasemski studies the nature of gardens and other agricultural finds in Pompeii, maing discoveries about agricultrual practices as well as helping to map where different statuses of the commuity lived. Work continues until 1984. -
Pompeii and Herculaneum join World Heritage List
The World Heritage List is run by UNESCO. United Nations Environmental, Scientific and Cultural Organisation What is the importance of the World Heritage List?
Why protect these sites?
