Picture ancient Pompeii and Herculaneum on a typical day, with people going about their lives, unaware of the impending doom. Beneath the surface, Mount Vesuvius, dormant yet ominous, held a destructive force. In 79 C.E., this force was unleashed, as Vesuvius erupted with devastating fury. The eruption buried the cities under a blanket of ash and pumice, preserving the final moments of its inhabitants in haunting detail. Centuries later, in the 1800s, Giuseppe Fiorelli, the Italian archaeologist, developed a technique to capture these moments by creating casts of the voids left by the decayed bodies. These casts and skeletons now stand in Pompeii and Herculaneum, solemn reminders of a tragic day, offering a poignant glimpse into the past.

Why see the preserved bodies of Mount Vesuvius?

A window into ancient Roman life: The bodies preserved by the volcanic ash of Mount Vesuvius are not just relics; they are vivid snapshots of history. These remains, along with the artifacts found alongside them, provide invaluable insights into the social hierarchy, occupations, and daily lives of the people who lived in Pompeii and Herculaneum. The preservation is so meticulous that you can see details down to their clothing and even facial expressions, giving us a direct connection to the people of ancient Rome.
They’re a study on volcanic disasters: The suddenness with which Vesuvius struck serves as a stark reminder of nature's unpredictability. For those interested in geology, these preserved bodies are a testament to the destructive power of volcanic eruptions. Seeing these remains, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how such events can rapidly transform thriving communities into silent monuments of human tragedy.
Explore the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum: Visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum is like stepping back in time. These archaeological sites are not only known for their eerie body casts but also for the remarkably well-preserved structures that showcase the grandeur of Roman architecture. In Pompeii, the vibrant frescoes and sprawling ruins tell stories of a prosperous city, while Herculaneum's luxurious villas and wooden structures highlight the refined lifestyle of its wealthier citizens.

The bodies | Popular casts and skeletons (gallery carousel)

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The master and the slave

Two men lie on their backs: one, aged 30-40 with wool traces under his neck and a strong bone structure, likely a man of high status in a tunic; the other, aged 18-23 in a pleated tunic, shows compressed vertebrae, indicating he was likely a laborer or slave.

The merchant

The merchant's body shows he died with his hands raised, with a metal nail holding his head and arm to his body. His wrist bones are compressed, indicating severe osteoarthritis during his life. There are also breaks in his upper arm bone, likely from a fall.

The protective mother

The mother, already weakened from childbirth, lies near her youngest child. Two other young children, identified through forensic dentistry as boys aged between five and two, were found holding hands and lying nearby.

The farmer’s daughter

The farmer's daughter, part of a young couple with their child, is the youngest victim recovered in Pompeii, estimated to be about 12–14 months old at the time of death, based on the state of her teeth.

The two maidens

Embraced skeletal remains were found together. Initially mistaken for women, tests showed they were an 18-year-old young man and an adult male 20 years older. Originally thought to be a father-son pair, they were unrelated, suggesting a possible romantic relationship.

The servant with the bag

Initially believed to be guiding the last family to safety with a bag over his shoulder, a servant was later revealed by X-rays to have no such bag, as it was a misformation of the plaster. Analysis of bone data suggests the servant was in his mid-teens.

The shackled slave

The shackled slave, like so many others, was tethered to the wall, resigned to his fate as the volcano erupted. His body rests face down on the ground, a poignant reminder of his powerlessness against the unfolding disaster.

The pet

A poignant discovery in Pompeii's ruins is the cast of a guard dog, left chained outside the house of Orpheus as its owners fled the eruption. The bronze studs around its neck indicate its role as a protector.

The boathouse bodies

In 1982, skeletons were found in Herculaneum's boathouses, revealing victims who sought shelter during the Vesuvius eruption, contradicting earlier beliefs that most had escaped. They were found curled up, with their limbs attached to their torso, a result of the extreme heat they experienced.

Science behind the preservation of the bodies left behind by the eruption

The bodies preserved at Pompeii and Herculaneum owe their condition to the innovative techniques developed by archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli in the 19th century. When Mount Vesuvius erupted, the people of these cities were overwhelmed by a sudden onslaught of rocks, debris, and suffocating gases, many succumbing instantly to the intense heat. Buried under 6 meters of ash that solidified over centuries, their bodies decayed, leaving voids in the ash shaped by their final moments.

Fiorelli developed an innovative technique to bring these voids back to life. By carefully pouring plaster into the cavities, he was able to create detailed casts that captured not just the positions in which people met their fate, but also intricate details like their clothing, hairstyles, and, in some cases, their final expressions.

Where can I see the bodies?

If you’re planning a visit, these are the must-see spots where you can view the casts and skeletons:

Piazza Anfiteatro: Near the entrance, you’ll find around 20 casts that bring the tragedy of Pompeii to life.
Garden of the Fugitives: This area (Regio 1, insula 21) holds several casts, showcasing families in their final moments.
Forum Granaries (Regio VII – Insula 7): Here, the bodies lie alongside ancient storage jars and amphorae, offering a unique juxtaposition of life and death.
The Antiquarium (Pompeii Archaeological Museum): This museum houses several casts and artifacts that shed light on the catastrophic eruption.
The Boat Houses at Herculaneum: In this haunting site, over 55 skeletons were found, including the famous “Ring Lady,” a poignant symbol of Herculaneum’s tragic end.
In the area known as the Boat Houses, where skeletons were found, including the poignant discovery of the Ring Lady in Herculaneum. During excavations in 1980–82, over 55 skeletons were initially unearthed on the ancient beach, just in front of the city walls, and within the first six boat sheds.