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What Happened The Day Pompeii Died? | Riddle Of Pompeii | Odyssey

Odyssey - Ancient History Documentaries・2 minutes read

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the town of Pompeii in 79 A.D., with forensic science challenging traditional explanations of the victims' deaths, revealing a rare volcanic phenomenon. Professor Haraldur Sigurdsson's research indicates that the Pompeiians were buried alive by a massive explosion of molten rock, not lava flows.

Insights

  • Sigurdsson's research challenges the traditional explanation of Pompeii's victims' deaths, proposing that they were buried alive by a massive explosion of molten rock, not lava flows, due to a pyroclastic surge generated by Vesuvius during the eruption.
  • Despite the Pompeiians' familiarity with earthquakes, their lack of awareness of Vesuvius's volcanic nature, combined with the rapid escalation of the eruption's intensity, led to many hesitating to flee, focusing on finding loved ones and possessions before succumbing to suffocation from inhaling the lethal substance of the surges.

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Recent questions

  • How did the eruption of Mount Vesuvius impact Pompeii?

    The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. buried the Roman town of Pompeii under volcanic ash and pumice, leaving over a thousand bodies intact. The intense heat generated by the eruption propelled pumice 30 kilometers high, causing roofs to collapse and leading to the suffocation of residents due to lack of oxygen. The pyroclastic surge, a lethal substance likely inhaled by the victims, was a key factor in their deaths, with the surge layers quickly covering human remains and preserving them for centuries.

  • What was the cause of death for the victims in Pompeii?

    The cause of death for the victims in Pompeii was determined to be inhalation of a lethal substance, likely a pyroclastic surge generated by Mount Vesuvius during the eruption. The surge phenomenon, resembling a collapsing jet engine column, hit the ground at high speeds, searing the skin and airways of the victims with scalding dust. The intense heat of the surge, at least 100 degrees Celsius, boiled water and sterilized the soil, contributing to the horrific deaths of the Pompeiians.

  • How did the Pompeiians react to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius?

    Initially, the Pompeiians hesitated to leave the town during the eruption, focusing on finding loved ones and valuable possessions before fleeing. Despite experiencing earthquakes, they were unaware of Vesuvius's volcanic nature due to its long dormancy and forested appearance. As the eruption's intensity rapidly increased, magma flow rose significantly, causing roofs to collapse under pressure. By the afternoon, nearly all of Pompeii's residents had left, but 1,044 bodies were later recovered within the city walls.

  • What did recent 3D MRI scans of skeletons near Pompeii reveal?

    Recent 3D MRI scans of skeletons near Pompeii showed evidence of exposure to dusty air, raising questions about the cause of death for the victims. The scans indicated that the Pompeiians faced a lack of oxygen, likely leading to suffocation. This new evidence challenged the traditional explanation of the victims' deaths and provided insights into the impact of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on the residents of Pompeii.

  • Who studied the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and its impact on Pompeii?

    Professor Haraldur Sigurdsson, an expert on Mount Vesuvius, studied the eruption and its impact on Pompeii. His research indicated that the Pompeiians were buried alive by a massive explosion of molten rock, not lava flows, challenging previous explanations of the victims' deaths. Sigurdsson's work shed light on the rare volcanic phenomenon in Pompeii and provided crucial insights into the tragic events that unfolded during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

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Summary

00:00

Pompeii's Deadly Eruption: New Forensic Discoveries

  • In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the Roman town of Pompeii and leaving over a thousand bodies intact.
  • Forensic science is challenging the traditional explanation of the victims' deaths, revealing a rare volcanic phenomenon in Pompeii.
  • Professor Haraldur Sigurdsson, an expert on Vesuvius, studied its eruptions, including the 1944 event that caused minimal deaths.
  • The bodies in Pompeii were found in hollow cavities, with plaster casts revealing their exact positions.
  • Recent 3D MRI scans of skeletons near Pompeii show evidence of exposure to dusty air, raising questions about the cause of death.
  • Sigurdsson's research indicates that the Pompeiians were buried alive by a massive explosion of molten rock, not lava flows.
  • Pliny the Younger's account of the eruption at noon on August 24th provides crucial details about the event's magnitude.
  • Sigurdsson's theory suggests that the lightweight pumice from the eruption was not lethal, allowing people to protect themselves.
  • Despite knowledge of earthquakes, the Pompeiians were unaware of Vesuvius's volcanic nature due to its long dormancy and forested appearance.
  • Evidence of earthquake activity before the eruption suggests that the Pompeiians were unprepared for the catastrophic event.

19:48

Tragic Pompeii Eruption: Lives Lost and Bonds

  • Different activities were happening in various parts of the interconnected block of houses in Pompeii, such as painters working in the back.
  • The Pompeiians, unaware of imminent volcanic eruptions causing tremors, hesitated to leave during the eruption due to their experience with earthquakes.
  • People initially hesitated to leave Pompeii, focusing on finding loved ones and valuable possessions before fleeing.
  • The eruption's intensity increased rapidly, with magma flow rising from 1 million to 10 million kilograms per second during the Plinian Stage.
  • The heat generated by the eruption propelled pumice 30 kilometers high, causing roofs in Pompeii to collapse under pressure.
  • By the afternoon, nearly all of Pompeii's estimated 20,000 residents had left, but 1,044 bodies were later recovered within the city walls.
  • DNA analysis of skeletons found in Pompeii revealed strong family bonds and reasons for some individuals staying, such as a pregnant woman close to giving birth.
  • Some individuals may not have been able to flee due to illness or pain, like a person with severe toothache and a healed sword wound.
  • The victims in Pompeii likely died from suffocation due to lack of oxygen, as evidenced by their positions and open mouths.
  • The cause of death in Pompeii was determined to be inhalation of a lethal substance, likely a pyroclastic surge generated by Vesuvius during the eruption.

35:21

Deadly volcanic surges: Pompeii and beyond

  • Sigurdsson studied the El Chichon volcano eruption in Mexico, similar to Pompeii's, where surges killed people.
  • The surge phenomenon is complex, resembling a collapsing jet engine column, hitting the ground at high speeds.
  • Vesuvius's eruption produced multiple surges, with the fourth being the most lethal, reaching Pompeii.
  • The thin surge layers left behind ash, quickly covered by pumice fall, preserving human remains.
  • Vesuvius's eruption lasted 20 hours, with six surge layers identified, each at specific times.
  • The pyroclastic surge was extremely hot, at least 100 degrees Celsius, boiling water and sterilizing soil.
  • Victims of Pompeii faced a horrific death from the surge, searing their skin and airways with scalding dust.
  • The final surge from Vesuvius was the deadliest, reaching far beyond Pompeii, causing massive casualties.
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