Rebuilding Pompeii: Ancient Villa Revived From Ruins

For two decades, a team of archaeologists, architects, structural engineers, art historians, and gardening experts have been working hard to restore a 2,000-year-old villa in Pompeii – the Casa Dei Vettii.

Discover a luxurious Roman villa that has been remarkably well-preserved, showcasing a glimpse into the high society of the time. The building is centered around a central courtyard, decorated with statues, columns, and basins around a fountain. 

Discover the story of Aulus Vettius Restitutus and Aulus Vettius Conviva, Whose story proves to be just as interesting as the spacer itself. The two former slaves became wealthy through Pompeii’s prospering wine trade and owned this remarkable and affluent villa. 

On 10 January, the Italian culture minister Gennaro Sangiuliano ceremoniously cut a ribbon in the colors of the Italian flag to mark the reopening of the villa to the public. Director of the Pompeii archaeological park Gabriel Zuchtriegel told the Guardian that this house was the perfect representation of ancient Roman society. 

Life in Pompeii was anything but easy. With only half of the population making it past the age of 10, it’s a wonder how anyone could live a long and healthy life. But a recent analysis of older residents’ skeletons has revealed the secret to their longevity: a balanced diet. 

Uncover a fascinating insight into the past when you explore the secrets in the ancient Herculaneum sewer! In 2011, archaeologists made a remarkable discovery – a 282-foot-long tunnel filled with 750 sacks of human excrement. This was thought to be the largest quantity of human excrement ever found in the Roman world! 

Archaeologists are digging into the past by exploring ancient trash – literally! Through the study of excrement, fish bones, pig bones, and egg shells that were once carelessly discarded down latrine holes, experts have been able to gain insight into the daily lives of Pompeii and Herculaneum’s citizens. 

Uncovering the secrets of the past, archaeologists recently discovered ancient graffiti in Pompeii dating back prior to the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The walls were filled with political slogans, displaying the politically engaged people’s support for various candidates. 

Exploring the largely unexplored Regio V of Pompeii, archaeologists have discovered ancient pre-election graffiti. One such statement reads: “I beg you to choose Elvio Sabino, worthy of State, a good man”. 

A recent archeological discovery has uncovered a startling truth: It has uncovered evidence that some members of the population may have suffered from the bacterial disease syphilis. 

For centuries, it had been widely believed that the advent of syphilis in Europe was due to Christopher Columbus and his 15th-century voyage to the New World. However, this remarkable discovery has completely flipped this assumption on its head. 

Withstanding the test of time, Roman family bonds were truly unbreakable. A miraculous testament to this is the survival of the twins. Anthropologists believe that the fact these twins lived for as long as they did is evidence of the strength of Roman families. 

The tragic story of a man buried alive by the devastating eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 has captivated the world for centuries. For the first time, we have a glimpse at his remains, frozen in time from the moment of his death. 

When the eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred, it brought about the tragic fate of an individual who has been christened as “the unluckiest man in history”. It was initially believed that he died when a giant rock hurled out by the volcano crushed him. 

Scientists initially believed that the man had died from the impact of a giant rock crushing his skull. However, after further analysis, their conclusion has been reconsidered. Upon removal of the rock, the man’s skull was found to be undamaged, suggesting he had probably died from suffocation. 

For centuries, the exact date of the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 eluded us. Until, that is, Pliny the Younger’s letters provided us with the crucial information we had been searching for. 

It was thought that the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius occurred on 24 August 79 AD, but a recently discovered inscription suggests otherwise. An inscription of charcoal writing, found at the site and translated to Latin, reads XVI K NOV – meaning “the 16th day before the 1st November” – which translates to 17 October. 

Italian authorities have declared that a newly discovered inscription, written in charcoal and believed to have been preserved under volcanic deposits since the year AD 79, has rewritten history. 

As the volcano Mount Vesuvius roared to life on that fateful day in 79 AD, many people in the nearby cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were faced with an unimaginable situation. Instead of fleeing in terror, they stayed in their homes and workplaces, knowing that their chances of survival were slim. 

When the volcano erupted, rather than panicking and fleeing, many victims chose to stay with their families and remain at home. This remarkable insight into human behavior in the face of a crisis sheds light on how individuals may respond in times of panic. 

Archaeology has shed new light on ancient Roman family structures. In one room of 13 people, at least six were found to be closely related, suggesting that families commonly lived in extended, multi-generational networks. 

Uncovering the secrets of ancient Roman religion, archaeologists have recently discovered an awe-inspiring shrine, commonly known as a lararium, in a villa. This shrine was filled with captivating paintings of plants, snakes and a peacock – all of which were believed to represent specific gods or goddesses. 

A remarkable discovery was recently made, one that points to the wealth and grandeur of the home’s inhabitants. Inside its very own chamber was a shrine, a magnificent display of sophistication and elegance. 

The Great Pompeii Project has recently uncovered an exciting new discovery – a complete and well-preserved shrine in areas of Pompeii which had never been explored before. Thanks to the advanced archaeological methods employed by the project, this treasure has been found and documented.

Explore the past with the discovery of four new rooms of an ancient Roman home! Archaeologists have uncovered a snapshot of daily life in this historic city, offering a glimpse into the domesticity of Roman citizens before the eruption.

A tragedy occurred in Herculaneum that saw a man killed by a 660-Ib stone being thrown from the sky. However, a new study has revealed that other victims weren’t much luckier as they were subject to horrific deaths due to the extreme heat. 

Researchers have uncovered a gruesome fate of the victims of the Pompeii volcano eruption. In a study published in the scientific journal PLoS One, analysis of skeletons preserved in molten rock suggested that those killed by the eruption experienced the rapid vaporization of their body fluids and soft tissues due to exposure to extreme heat. 

The catastrophic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD left the city of Herculaneum in ruins. Unfortunately, this tragedy also took the lives of many of its citizens who were unable to escape in time and preferred to stay close to their loved ones. 

In 2018, archaeologists made a thrilling discovery – the remarkably intact remains of an ancient horse at Pompeii, along with a saddle. The horse was found in a villa belonging to a high-ranking Roman general or military member, and experts believe it was a special breed worth a great deal of money. 

The discovery of this remarkable horse came along with finding the remains of both a dog and pig. This Large Horse is one of the few animals to have ever been successfully cast at the historic site.