The Roman City of Herculaneum

In 79 AD, Herculaneum was a small city situated on the coast overlooking the Bay of Naples.

The population has been estimated to be about 5000 people. Unlike Pompeii, which was a busy and populous commercial center, Herculaneum was a smaller and quieter seaside resort.

The eruption buried the city beneath about 20 meters of thick pumice and ash. It was rediscovered in the 1700's when tunneling uncovered artifacts and buildings.

Excavation of the city has been limited thus far because of the presence of the modern city of Ercolano, which is built directly on top of the ruins of Herculaneum.

Excavations at Herculaneum

Unlike at Pompeii, where human remains were found dispersed throughout the city, the excavations of Herculaneum uncovered few human remains until the 1980s.

At that time, hundreds of skeletons were discovered in the boat chambers along the beachfront. People had apparently evacuated to this area with the hope of escaping or sheltering from from the terrifying effects of the eruption.

In your visit to Herculaneum, you will explore several sites excavated around the ancient city. You will be able to observe and collect data at sites where the volcanic deposits are exposed, as well as explore other locations of broader cultural interest and importance.