Pompei

18th April 2024

Dhruv: Mumma, what do you mean by UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Rita: UNESCO gives this title to the places that survive a catastrophe or are preserving culture. Which place are you reading about?

Dhruv: I am reading about Pompei, mumma.

Rita: Where is it? Tell me more!



Dhruv: My encyclopedia says, "Pompeii, preserved ancient Roman city in Campania, Italy, 14 miles (23 km) southeast of Naples, at the southeastern base of Mount Vesuvius. Around noon on August 24, 79 CE, a huge eruption from Mount Vesuvius showered volcanic debris over the city of Pompeii, followed the next day by clouds of blisteringly hot gases. Buildings were destroyed, the population was crushed or asphyxiated, and the city was buried beneath a blanket of ash and pumice. For many centuries Pompeii slept beneath its pall of ash, which perfectly preserved the remains. When these were finally unearthed, in the 1700s, the world was astonished at the discovery of a sophisticated Greco-Roman city frozen in time. Grand public buildings included an impressive forum and an amphitheater; lavish villas and all kinds of houses, dating back to the 4th century BCE, were also uncovered. Inside were some preserved remains of people sheltering from the eruption; others lay buried as they fled; bakeries were found with loaves still in the ovens. The buildings and their contents revealed day-to-day life in the ancient world—and stirred 18th-century interest in all things classical."

Rita: That's such a great piece Dhruv, thank you for sharing it with me!

This post is a part of the #BlogchatterAtoZ challenge.