UNCOVERED: Hidden Secrets of Pompeii (Full Episode) | Lost Treasures of Rome

National Geographic2 minutes read

Beneath Pompei, a city preserved for centuries by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in AD 79, archaeologists excavate a bustling metropolis revealing Roman life and culture, including temples, theaters, and a forum. The ongoing exploration of the city frozen in time sheds light on the daily lives of its inhabitants, showcasing bathers, worshippers, and enslaved individuals amassing wealth in ancient Rome.

Insights

  • Excavations beneath Pompei's oldest bathhouse unveil a remarkably preserved space, showcasing Roman bathing culture with olive oil, strigils, and a hypocaust system.
  • The discovery of Marcus Venerus Cundo's well-preserved body in a family tomb sheds light on individual lives in Pompei, from slavery to wealth, offering insights into social mobility and status in ancient Rome.

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Recent questions

  • What is Pompei known for?

    Preservation by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in AD 79.

  • What did Romans use for bathing?

    Olive oil and a tool called a strigil.

  • What did archaeologists find in the Stabian Baths?

    A fibula, a clothes pin, and evidence of a service room.

  • Who was Marcus Venerus Cundo?

    A well-preserved body found in a walled family enclosure tomb.

  • What do plaster casts reveal in Pompei?

    Original body shapes of skeletons, showcasing past details.

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Summary

00:00

Exploring Pompei's Ancient Bathhouse: Unearthing Roman Life

  • Beneath Pompei's oldest bathhouse, cavers explore a miraculously preserved space hidden for nearly 2,000 years.
  • Pompei, an ancient city south of Rome, was buried by Mount Vesuvius' eruption in AD 79, preserving it for centuries.
  • Archaeologists uncover a bustling metropolis beneath volcanic debris, revealing a hub of trade and culture.
  • The excavation of Pompei uncovers temples, theaters, and a forum, shedding light on Roman life.
  • An international team digs at the Stabian Baths, exploring Roman bathing culture and its evolution over time.
  • Romans used olive oil and a tool called a strigil for bathing, with rooms heated by a hypocaust system.
  • Archaeologists find a fibula, a clothes pin, in the Stabian Baths, offering a direct link to a Pompeian from 2,000 years ago.
  • The team uncovers evidence suggesting a service room in the baths was once a public walkway, revealing changes in the bath layout.
  • Spanish archaeologists excavate tombs in Pompei, aiming to understand the lives and deaths of its inhabitants before the eruption.
  • A discovery of a walled family enclosure tomb reveals the well-preserved body of Marcus Venerus Cundo, shedding light on individual life and death in Pompei.

21:30

"Pompei Excavations Uncover Ancient Secrets"

  • Archaeologist Luana Tonolo excavates a small room in Pompei, part of a larger Villa buried under volcanic ash.
  • Plaster casts are used to recreate the original body shapes of skeletons found in Pompei, revealing details of the past.
  • The room discovered is believed to have been inhabited by slaves, showcasing their living conditions in ancient Rome.
  • Marcus Venerus Cundo, a former slave turned wealthy man, is investigated for his rise to freedom and status in Pompei.
  • Monica explores the underground heating system of the Stabian Baths with a team of spelunkers.
  • Mario's team uncovers a buried skull beneath the street level, possibly a sacrificial offering to the gods.
  • The discovery of a bull's skull in Pompei hints at ritual sacrifices and religious practices in ancient Rome.
  • Marcus Venerus Cundo's life as a priest and benefactor in Pompei is revealed through inscriptions and discoveries.
  • A stamped inscription found under the Stabian Baths could provide crucial evidence for understanding the bathhouse's history.
  • Pompei's ongoing excavations contribute to a deeper understanding of the city's history and the lives of its inhabitants.

43:37

Insights from Ancient Roman City Excavation

  • Archaeologists excavating a 2,000-year-old city frozen in time reveal the daily lives of its inhabitants.
  • The city showcases bathers enjoying public baths, worshippers making offerings, and enslaved individuals amassing wealth.
  • Discoveries from the excavation will provide new understanding of life and death during the Roman Empire's peak.
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