Exploring the ancient city of Pompeii, archaeologists have unearthed a groundbreaking discovery that offers fresh insights into the final moments of the doomed town.
A recent study featured in the journal Frontiers in Earth Science reveals that earthquakes might have played a significant role in the devastation of the Roman settlement and the tragic demise of its residents during the notorious eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79. This revelation stems from the identification of unusual building collapses and an intriguing pair of skeletons.
Situated at the foot of the volcano in southern Italy’s Campania region, Pompeii remains one of the most renowned archaeological sites globally. The catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius obliterated Pompeii, entombing the city under layers of ash and pumice—a volcanic rock variety—preserving its remains like a time capsule.
Traditionally, the destruction of Pompeii has been attributed to volcanic activities, such as the accumulation of volcanic debris and the impact of pyroclastic flows—swift streams of hot gas and volcanic materials. However, the researchers argue that seismic events, which can often coincide with explosive eruptions, have been overlooked.
Pliny the Younger, in his letters to the Roman historian Tacitus, recounts seismic activities observed during the catastrophe, providing the sole surviving eyewitness testimony to the event.
These seismic effects, rarely discussed by scholars in detail before, have now been highlighted by the recent findings.
“Our study has, for the first time, uncovered evidence of significant seismic activity resulting in building collapses and fatalities,” stated Sparice.
In a groundbreaking excavation within the Insula dei Casti Amanti in Pompeii, researchers stumbled upon compelling evidence of building collapses that seemed to have overwhelmed two individuals.
Upon further investigation, the team discovered skeletons of two middle-aged males exhibiting severe fractures and injuries, consistent with seismic activity rather than volcanic effects, according to the researchers.
The positioning of the skeletons indicated that one individual was crushed by a collapsing wall fragment, likely leading to immediate death. The second individual, while also succumbing to collapsing structures, tried to shield himself with a wooden object, as discerned from faint traces found in volcanic deposits.
The evidence suggests that these individuals did not perish from inhaling ash or extreme heat, but were tragically overwhelmed by the seismic turmoil, unable to escape the collapsing buildings amidst the volcanic respite.
This new understanding brings us closer to the ancient Pompeii inhabitants’ experiences, shedding light on the decisions and events that determined their fate in the city’s final hours, remarked study co-author Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park.