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

National Geographic27 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.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

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.

Related videos

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.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.