Herculaneuma
- a UNESCO World Heritage Site - is an ancient Roman town that was
destroyed and buried by volcanic pyroclastic flows in the eruption of
Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
Unlike
Pompeii, the material which covered it preserved wooden and other
organic-based objects such as window grills, roofs, beds, doors, food and even some
300 skeletons (these you see here are replicates of what was found). The latter were surprising discoveries as it was
thought until then that the town had been evacuated by the
inhabitants.
Alas that it was not entirely so.
Herculaneum
was more than just fascinating – it was hauntingly beautiful. It
was so incredible, so astonishing, so unbelievable to be walking
along the narrow, ancient roadways traversed by others almost 2
thousand years ago.
And it all seemed so familiar. I could almost see myself ordering from the "fast food street venders" with their vats and containers selling to the masses.
Wonderful.
I would love to visit Herculaneum some day. I remember reading a book about it when I was in school - a slave girl tried to escape with her mistress's baby, and was helped along by a kind soldier. The story was based on some of the skeletons found in the excavation. It's always haunted me. What mesmerizing place you got to go see, with so many details from daily life still visible!
ReplyDeleteA lot of the 'every day items' - including a rocking cradle - are in the Naples museum - which we visited on another day. It truly is amazing. You will get there one day I am sure.
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