Herculaneum

Herculaneum today
Herculaneum: Neptune and Salacia, wall mosaic in house number 22

Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town. It was completely destroyed when the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted on 24 August, 79 AD.[1][2][3] Herculaneum was covered by volcanic mud during the eruption, which quickly hardened to a semi-rock material.[4] Herculaneum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[3]

Unlike Pompeii, the deep pyroclastic material which covered it preserved most objects in its path. Archaeologists have recovered wooden and other objects such as rooves, beds, doors, and food. Some 300 skeletons were discovered along the sea shore. It was thought until then that the town had been evacuated by its inhabitants.

Herculaneum was a wealthier town than Pompeii, however it was not as famous after the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. It had many fine houses with a lavish use of coloured marble cladding, mosaics and wall paintings.

References

  1. ↑ Claudia, Coverso (2000). Herculaneum: Civilisation and Art. Monaco Press. p. 4. ISBN 9788881801442.
  2. ↑ Dickson, Iain. "Herculaneum". Roman Empire.net. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2011-03-23.
  3. 1 2 "Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata". UNESCO. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
  4. ↑ "Erculaneum". Hotel Onda Verde. Retrieved 2011-03-23.


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