The discovery of Pompeii is one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in human history. For centuries, the ancient Roman city lay hidden beneath layers of volcanic ash, its vibrant streets, homes, and public spaces.
But how exactly did we find this buried city, and what was the process that turned Pompeii from an ancient legend into one of the most important archaeological sites on the planet?
In this story, I’ll dig into the events that led to the rediscovery of Pompeii, exploring the key figures, historical context, and fascinating moments that led us to uncover the secrets of this ancient Roman civilization.
Pompeii’s Disappearance
Pompeii was once a flourishing Roman city, home to an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people. It had everything you’d expect from a Roman metropolis—grand villas, markets, public baths, temples, theaters, and even an amphitheater for gladiatorial games.
Then, on August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, blanketing the city in volcanic ash and rock, and effectively stopping time. In less than 24 hours, Pompeii was sealed beneath up to 15 feet of volcanic material.
The city’s inhabitants who survived the eruption fled, leaving everything behind. And so, Pompeii disappeared from the map, its location slowly fading from memory. Over time, the land was repurposed for agriculture. Farmers tilled fields where vibrant streets and shops once stood, unaware of the city’s silent presence beneath their feet.
For centuries, Pompeii lived only in scattered historical texts, most notably in the letters of Pliny the Younger, a Roman author who famously documented the eruption of Vesuvius from a nearby location. His descriptions of the disaster survived the centuries, providing future generations with clues about Pompeii’s fate. Still, the exact location of the city remained a mystery until a series of unlikely events set the stage for its rediscovery.
The Accidental Discovery of Pompeii
The rediscovery of Pompeii began not with careful archaeological planning, but rather by pure accident. In the late 16th century, around 1592, an architect named Domenico Fontana was commissioned to dig a new canal near the Sarno River to help divert water for agricultural purposes.
While digging, Fontana and his workers found fragments of ancient buildings, inscriptions, and even frescoes. However, at the time, they didn’t realize the significance of what they had found.
Without a broader understanding of the Roman ruins beneath them, the workmen covered up the artifacts and carried on with their project. These early discoveries were noted but quickly forgotten, and the canal was completed without further exploration of the site. Little did Fontana know, he had been standing on the edge of one of the most significant archaeological treasures in history.
The Official Rediscovery
The real rediscovery of Pompeii began in the mid-18th century, largely thanks to the interest of Charles of Bourbon, the king of Naples at the time. In 1738, workers digging at the nearby town of Herculaneum, which had also been buried by the Vesuvius eruption, uncovered statues, sculptures, and other remnants of Roman civilization. This piqued the king’s interest, and he ordered further explorations in the region.
In 1748, under the direction of Spanish military engineer Rocque Joaquín de Alcubierre, excavations were expanded beyond Herculaneum. During these diggings the buried city of Pompeii was rediscovered. Workers initially had no idea what they were uncovering, but as they dug deeper, they unearthed entire streets, walls covered in vivid frescoes, and artifacts that had been perfectly preserved beneath the volcanic ash.
At first, the excavation efforts were not particularly scientific. Much of the focus was on treasure hunting, and artifacts were removed with little thought for preservation. In fact, many items were taken directly to the royal palace in Naples, where Charles of Bourbon delighted in showing off his new collection of ancient Roman treasures to visiting dignitaries and friends.
The Evolution of Archaeological Methods
While the 18th-century excavations brought Pompeii back into the world’s consciousness, it wasn’t until the 19th century that the excavations became more systematic and scientific. Giuseppe Fiorelli, an Italian archaeologist would transform the way Pompeii was studied and preserved.
In 1860, Fiorelli was appointed director of the Pompeii excavations, and he immediately implemented a series of groundbreaking methods that are still admired today. Unlike his predecessors, Fiorelli recognized the importance of preserving Pompeii as an entire city, not just as a source of individual treasures. He carefully mapped out the ruins and began documenting the site in detail, noting the position of every artifact, building, and street as they were uncovered.
But perhaps Fiorelli’s most famous innovation was the introduction of the plaster cast technique. When his team encountered voids in the ash layer where human bodies had decomposed, Fiorelli had the brilliant idea of filling these cavities with plaster. The result was hauntingly lifelike casts of Pompeii’s victims, frozen in their final moments as they tried to flee the eruption. These casts remain some of the most iconic images of Pompeii today, capturing the human tragedy behind the disaster.
A Window Into Roman Life
The rediscovery of Pompeii was more than just an exciting archaeological find—it was a revelation. The city’s preservation under the ash was so complete that it provided an unparalleled snapshot of life in the Roman Empire, from grand public buildings to the most intimate details of daily life. Homes were found with furniture still in place, shops were filled with tools and goods, and even food was preserved in cooking pots. It was as if time had stood still.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Pompeii is how it captures both the public and private lives of its residents. The frescoes that adorn the walls of homes and public spaces offer glimpses into Roman art, religion, and social customs, while graffiti scrawled on walls reveals the voices of ordinary people, expressing everything from political slogans to love notes.
The rediscovery of Pompeii also spurred a renewed interest in Roman culture and history across Europe. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Pompeii became a must-see destination for aristocrats on the Grand Tour, and it influenced everything from art and architecture to fashion and literature. The city became a symbol of both the glory of the Roman Empire and the fragility of human life in the face of nature’s power.
The Continuing Excavations
Although Pompeii has been under excavation for more than 250 years, the work is far from finished. In fact, much of the city remains buried, waiting to be uncovered by future generations of archaeologists. New discoveries are still being made today, thanks to modern technology and more sophisticated excavation techniques.
In recent years, archaeologists have uncovered beautifully preserved frescoes, ancient food stalls, and even newly identified victims of the eruption. One of the most exciting recent finds is a chariot, unearthed in 2021, that had been preserved in remarkable detail in a villa on the outskirts of Pompeii. These discoveries tell us that Pompeii still has many secrets to reveal.
Final Thoughts
The story of Pompeii’s rediscovery is more than just an archaeological victory—it’s a powerful symbol of human resilience, curiosity, and the desire to connect with the past. And with every layer of ash that’s carefully brushed away, we are reminded that the past is not lost—it’s simply waiting to be uncovered.