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An archeologist called Fiorelli found that the hollow spaces underground in which the the bodies were found were actually imprints of the exact positions the people died in. So he filled the chambers with plaster which created casts of the bodies that looked exactly as the person had when they died, right down to their facial expressions and the details on their clothing.
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EzraThe bodies of Pompeii were covered in ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Over time, the soft tissues decayed and left behind cavities, which were filled with plaster by archaeologists in the 19th century to create casts of the victims. These casts provide a haunting glimpse into the final moments of the people of Pompeii.
The city of Pompeii lay in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius, which often rumbled and muttered, causing the inhabitants to become rather nonchalant about any danger it imposed.
On August 24 AD 79, Pompeii and the nearby city of Herculaneum were buried under a pyroclastic flow from the volcano. A pyroclastic flow is a cloud of superheated gas, ash, and rock. At the time, it is believed that there were about 20,000 inhabitants in Pompeii at the time of the eruption, many of them summer visitors.
Straight after the eruption, those who weren't killed by falling rocks tried to escape but clouds of poison gas rolled into the city. Anyone outside was killed instantly from the gas, while people who were still in their houses died from lack of oxygen.
Herculaneum was rediscovered in 1738, and Pompeii was found in 1748.
Pompeii Victims' Bodies Revealed in Scans: Photos
As Pompeii was buried under 8 to 9 feet of material, bodies were encased in layers of hardened pumice and ash. Fiorelli's team found that their decayed corpses left voids. They poured plaster into the cavities, creating plaster casts of the impression in the ash.Oct 8, 2015
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Why did casts form in Pompeii?
Bodies where buried under volcanic ash. The bodies themselves decayed but left cavities that preseved their dying poses. Archaeologists later poured plaster into these cavities to form casts of the people.
How are the statues of the dead people in Pompeii made?
The statues of the dead people in Pompeii were made by pouring liquid plaster into the cavities left by their decayed bodies. This process created detailed casts that preserved the final poses and expressions of the victims at the moment of their deaths during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
What happened after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius?
After the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were buried under ash and pumice, preserving them for centuries. The area was abandoned and largely forgotten until their rediscovery in the 18th century, leading to significant archaeological excavations that have provided valuable insights into Roman daily life. Today, the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum are popular tourist destinations and UNESCO World Heritage sites.
What buried the town of Pompeii?
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried the town of Pompeii under a thick layer of volcanic ash and pumice. This preserved the town and its inhabitants for centuries, providing valuable insights into Roman life and culture.
Who was affected by Vesuvius?
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD affected the residents of the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum the most, as well as surrounding areas. The volcanic eruption buried these cities under tons of ash and pumice, resulting in a catastrophic loss of life and destruction of buildings.
