FYS 1074 BURIED CITIES OF VESUVIUS

Pompeii, Herculaneum and the other sites destroyed (and paradoxically preserved) by the eruption of Vesuvius offer a remarkable occasion for investigating the interaction between natural history and human history – an exceptional geological event that resulted in an unparalleled opportunity to trace patterns of civic behavior as well as daily life in the ancient Roman world. At the same time, the longer history of these sites – including their discovery, their impact on European culture, art and fashion, and their representation in literature and films – provide an ideal opportunity for considering the extent to which contemporary concerns shade and shape the investigation and interpretation of the past.