Pompeii

On August 24th 79, yes, over 1900 years ago, Mt. Vesuvius literally blew its top. Ash, pumice, and other particles were released into the air and covered most of southern Italy. No town was more impacted than the city of Pompeii. Once a thriving metropolis, Pompeii found itself and its population literally buried alive under 24 feet of ash and debris. There is actually written stories of an eyewitness, Pliny the younger. If you are so inclined, you can look for it online or at your local library to get a feel of what happened in Pompeii.

Although there was documentation that a city existed, Pompeii lay buried until 1748 when excavations began. The archeologists found amazing things. Bodies preserved in ash in protective positions, as if trying to ward off the attack of the volcano. Ovens with loaves of bread still in them, and even areas of restaurants, and plumbing. It is amazing how advanced this city seemed considering they were wiped out nearly 2000 years ago. We saw evidence of bathrooms, bathing area, even drainage and water movement.

Enjoy the pictures, I hope they can begin to show it's amazement. The place is huge and we barely made a dent in it. I would probably need at least a full day or two to see it all and we only had a couple hours. I will be back to finish my tour.

Looking over Pompeii from the parking lot

Entrance

They are still excavating today

City walls

Houses

Probably held water or oil

Individual residences

Bathtub

Roman Columns

Courtyard

More houses

I have no idea what it says

All the things they have found. There is a huge warehouse that shows you all the stuff they found and continue to find daily

That is how they found bodies, preserved in ash

In a protective pose

Another one trying to protect themselves

Our guide said this was a washing area

Artwork from 2000 years ago

Bones

Water or Oil holders

Steps

Mansion

The big boulders in the street are defense against chariots

Restaurant

Oven. They found loaves of bread in here from eruption day.

Stairs

Bed

For tying down animals

Bathtub or wash basin

Amphitheater

Remeber, it's 2000 years old

Drainage

Pine nut tree

Bathroom

Lizard

Castel Nuovo, in the port of Naples

The building ALL Italian immigrans left from in the early 1900's. If you wanted to go to the United States from ANYWHERE in Italy, you left from here. Including Vito Corleone

Us with our driver, Mario