Exhibition Walkthrough
The Roman city of Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount
Vesuvius in AD 79 and vanished beneath thick layers of volcanic
ash. The city remained virtually untouched for nearly 1,700 years,
preserved as if sealed in a time capsule. Pompeii's rediscovery --
building by building, street by street, block by block -- became
one of the greatest archaeological sites ever unearthed.
Welcome to Pompeii
A statue of Venus welcomes visitors as they are transported to
ancient Pompeii, and a bird's-eye view of Pompeii before the
eruption helps sets the stage for the experience.
Outdoor Living
Pompeii's climate favored life outdoors. Visitors will admire
beautiful garden frescoes and statuary discovered in outdoor living
areas in Pompeii's ruins. The large frescoes were preserved by
volcanic ash and illustrate the styles of the time and the
techniques used to create them.
Home Life
Homes in Pompeii had typical Roman amenities. Visitors will
learn about the culture and comfortable lifestyle of ancient
Pompeians as they explore a model house, fabulous artifacts, many
touchable items, and a video re-creating the city's streets, homes,
and daily life.
Trade and Commerce
Pompeii was filled with businesses, from bakeries, laundries,
and taverns to establishments for food processing and importing and
exporting. Visitors will experience the hustle and bustle of
Pompeii's commerce through a re-creation of storefronts, including
a thermopolium-an ancient fast-food restaurant-where a historical
enactor will be tending counter and sharing stories.
Entertainment
Popular pastimes in Pompeii, including games and gambling, are
represented through dice and Roman coins and currency. The city's
amphitheater offered entertainment, such as chariot races and
gladiatorial contests. Gladiator artifacts will be displayed,
including a helmet and shin guards.
Religious Beliefs
Religious beliefs and practices were very much a part of
everyday life. The Pompeians worshiped numerous Roman gods and
goddesses, and honored their ancestors. Visitors will see
mythological, funerary, and religious artifacts, including an
altar, a shrine, busts, and statues.
The Final Hours
A digital re-creation depicts 24 final hours of Pompeii,
beginning the morning of August 24, AD 79. Nearby are body casts
that preserved the last moments of Vesuvius's victims. Frozen in
time by volcanic ash, the bodies disintegrated leaving behind an
empty cavity. In 1860, archaeologist Guiseppe Fiorelli poured
plaster into these cavities, creating the first versions of the
casts.
Around the Museum
Additional Pompeii experiences can be found throughout the
Museum, including a "Pompeii Runway" photo opportunity on the Level
2 bridge, a photo exhibit of Volcanoes Around the World on Level 3,
and a volcanology activity cart on the Level 3 bridge, where
visitors can learn about how volcanoes erupt, how Mount Vesuvius
differs from other volcanoes, and some of Colorado's own
volcanoes.
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