The 300 Eruption Bodies Discovered in Herculaneum, Pompeii's Neighboring City

most discussions about the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 ad tend to center around Pompei the images of plaster casts of bodies Frozen in agonized death poses which have become iconic representations of the disaster often dominate The Narrative yet just a few miles away the ancient city of herculanum suffered a similar fate unlike Pompei where JPI fiorelli's plaster technique immortalized the tragic demise of its inhabitants herculanum story is told through a different although equally powerful medium the bones of its residents herculanum was an ancient Roman town located in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius about 10 miles Northwest of Pompei unlike Pompei which was a bustling commercial hub herculanum was more of a resort town a Seaside Retreat favored by the wealthy Elite of Rome the city was known for its luxurious Villas public baths and a harbor that facilitated easy access to trade routes across the med Mediterranean the town's opulence was reflected in the architecture and the lifestyle of its residents who enjoyed the Finer Things in life Sumptuous food Fine Wines and spectacular views of the Bay of Naples the town was named after the mythological hero Hercules whom the Romans believed had founded the city it was smaller than Pompei with a population estimated at around 5,000 people despite its size herculanum was a Vibrant Community thriving under the Roman Empire's prosper it the city's location on the coast made it a desirable place to live particularly for those seeking respit from the hustle and bustle of urban life in Rome on the fateful day of August 24th 79 ad Mount Vesuvius erupted with a ferocity that caught the residents of both Pompei and herculanum off guard the eruption Unleashed a series of pyroclastic surges a fast moving current of hot gas and Volcanic matter that swept over the region herculanum being closer to the volcano was one of the first places to be hit the town was buried under a thick layer of volcanic material which included Ash pmus and mud preserving it in a state of suspended animation for nearly two Millennia unlike Pompei where the initial phase of the eruption buried the city in Ash herculanum was engulfed by a pyroclastic flow that was hotter and more devastating the temperature of this flow reached up to 1, 1500° f instantly killing anyone in its path the intense heat was so extreme that it caused the soft tissues of the victims to vaporize leaving only their skeletal Remains the volcanic material that covered the city eventually solidified into a dense almost concrete likee layer which protected the buildings and the contents within from the ravages of time while Pomp's remains were discovered in the late 16th century herculanum remained largely untouched until much later it wasn't until 1981 that archaeologists began to uncover the skeletal remains of herculanum inhabitants these skeletons were found primarily along the ancient Shoreline where it is believed that residents had fled in a desperate attempt to escape the eruption the beach once a place of leisure and relaxation had become a final refuge for those trying to outrun the impending disaster at present approximately 300 skeletons have been uncovered but there are likely many more still buried beneath the layers of volcanic material these skeletons unlike the plaster casts of Pompei are the actual bones of the victims they tell a story of a sudden and violent death one that came without warning and left no time for escape the skeletons were found in various positions some huddled together in what appear to be desperate attempts to Shield one another others sprawled on the ground overcome by the Heat and fumes the discovery of the skeletons in herculanum has provided invaluable insight into the lives and deaths of its residents unlike Pompei where the initial phases of the eruption left a thick layer of Ash that protected the bodies from immediate destruction the pyroclastic flow that hit herculanum was so intense that it obliterated everything in its path the fact that the skeletons were preserved at all is evidence to the unique conditions created by the volcanic material that covered the town the preservation of these skeletons has allowed archaeologists to study the physical characteristics of the ancient Romans who lived in herculanum for instance the discovery of the remains of four pregnant women among the past away has provided insights into the demographics and health of the population the fact that these women were in the later stages of pregnancy suggests that the eruption occurred at a time when the population was stable and families were growing the skeletal remains found in herculanum also offer a touching Peak into the final moments of the city's inhabitants most of the skeletons were found in a series of sheds known as fornit near the ancient Shoreline these structures were typically used to store Goods or boats but on the day of the eruption they became shelters of Last Resort for those trying to escape the people who sought refuge in these for Nichi likely believed that the sturdy walls would protect them from the onslaught of the eruption tragically they were wrong as the pyroclastic flow swept over herculanum it filled the for Nichi with searing hot gas and Volcanic material dooming everyone inside almost instantly the heat was so intense that it caused bones to snap and teeth to shatter the Interiors of some skulls were found to be stained red likely the result of vaporized tissue and blood the skeletons remain in the exact positions in which they were found collapsed crumpled and contorted a silent Testament to the horror they must have endured today herculanum stands as a remarkable archaeological site that offers a window into the past the city's excavation began in Earnest only in the 1980s and much of it remains buried under the volcanic material each new layer that is uncovered reveals more about the daily life of the ancient Romans who lived there the preservation of organic materials such as wood food and even human waste has provided a wealth of information about the diet habits and living conditions of herculanum residents the excavation of herculanum is ongoing and with each new discovery we learn more about the people who lived and died in the shadow of Vesuvius the city is a treasure Trove of archaeological finds from beautifully preserved buildings and frescos to The Haunting remains of its inhabitants it is a place where the past is still very much alive and where the stories of those who perished in the eruption continue to be told while Pompei has long captured the Public's imagination with its haunting plaster casts the story of herculanum offers a different yet equally compelling narrative the skeletons of herculanum preserved in their final moments provide a stark reminder of the power of nature and the fragility of human life as archaeologists continue to unearth the remains of this once thriving City we gain a deeper understanding of the lives of its residents and the tragic events that led to their untimely deaths herculanum may not be as well known as its neighbor but it is a city with a story that deserves to be told in all its detail and complexity thank you for joining us on this journey through the haunting and fascinating history of herculanum we hope you found this exploration of the city's tragic past both informative and engaging if you enjoyed this video and want to uncover more stories from history be sure to hit the like button and subscribe to our Channel don't forget to click the notification Bell so you never miss out on our latest content your support helps us continue bringing you deep dives into the Mysteries and wonders of the ancient world thanks for watching and we'll see you in the next video