Lost Treasures of Rome

S01E06 Pompeii's Lost Twin: Herculaneum

The catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 not only engulfed Pompeii but also devastated Herculaneum, a coastal town situated even closer to the volcano. Completely shrouded in ash five times deeper than that of Pompeii, Herculaneum remains astonishingly well-preserved. Recently, the unearthing of an intact skeleton—the first in a quarter-century—provides crucial insights into the town's final moments. This discovery aids researchers in understanding the ferocity of Vesuvius's assault on Herculaneum and sheds light on the events that unfolded during that fateful day.