Herculaneum, Italy

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Visit Herculaneum

Herculaneum is situated on the outskirts of Naples - the region around the excavations doesn't have a great deal to commend it (OK, nothing at all unless it's changed since we visited) but a visit to the ruins of herculaneum is still highly recommended. It is something of an 'undeveloped' tourist attraction and it has to be said the surroundings do detract slightly from the pleasure of a visit.

Less well known than Pompeii, another Roman town destroyed by the same eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, Herculaneum (known in Italy as Ercolano) has also been extensively excavated and is very revealing of the town 'frozen in time' almost 2000 years ago. However the work at Herculaneum is still very much a 'work in progress' and there is a great deal remaining to be excavated - a task not made easier by the very thick layer of ash and volcanic material that covered the site (20 metres thick, and five times thicker than the debris that submerged Pompeii).

Excavation

The history of the excavation of Herculaneum has not always been a happy one, and early 19th century excavations exposed many interesting features and frescoes that have since disappeared. Likewise many excavated items seem to have disappeared or been subject to investigation that led to their destruction. Scientific techniques have improved a great deal in recent years and it is hoped that one day Herculaneum will be among the great archaelogical sites of Italy.

Herculaneum buildings and sites

Several other houses - from grand townhouses to more humble lodgings - have been revealed in varying condition and it is possible to see many intact rooms and walls, frescoes and decorative mosaic floors and to walk along the original cobbled streets that passed between the properties.

Another highlight is the well preserved Roman Baths complex with the original mosaic floored marble baths surrounded by various carvings and murals.

One of the most unexpected discoveries is the Villa of the Papyri, once home to Julius Caesar's father in law and a grand villa leading to the sea. The name of the villa comes from the many written scrolls that have been discovered in the library of the house and that scientists are working on deciphering (complicated because the scrolls were damaged by the heat and don't react well to being unrolled - so it is necessary to read them without unrolling them...not very easy).

There are many 'small' highlights that add significantly to the visit - the shops still have some of their fittings and the baths their wooden shelving for example, and remains of lead water pipes can be seen. These small features help to make Herculaneum seem more 'lived in'.

Skeletons at Herculaneum

Herculaneum is also known for the skeleton remains that have been found nearby on the sea front - believed to be those of people attempting to escape the lava flows.

Numerous skeletons have been found, and have proved effective at revealing more about the lives of citizens in Ancient Rome such as their dietary habits.

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