Tickets for A Day in Pompeii Available August 24, the Anniversary of the AD 79 Mount Vesuvius Eruption and Following 24 Hours of Tweets

Denver Museum of Nature & Science will release tickets on Friday following 24 hours of tweets recounting the final 24 hours before Vesuvius' eruption

Denver-August 22, 2012-On August 24, AD 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying the vibrant Roman city of Pompeii under volcanic ash for hundreds of years. On August 24, 2012 the Colorado community can purchase tickets to experience A Day in Pompeii and explore the daily life-and tragic end-of this thriving metropolis. The exhibition opens on Friday, September 14 at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.

Pompeii's rediscovery in the early 1700s-building by building, street by street, and block by block-became one of the greatest archaeological sites ever unearthed. A Day in Pompeii showcases more than 250 exceptional artifacts that lay buried in the ruins-including room-size frescoes, marble and bronze sculptures, jewelry, gold coins, and everyday household items. The 13,000-square-foot exhibition evokes the richness, culture, and bustle of daily life in Pompeii.

In addition to seeing rare artifacts, visitors will experience what it was like to live in ancient Pompeii as they enjoy digital re-creations, activity carts, and conversation with the Museum's historical enactors.

24 Hours of Tweets from Pliny the Elder

In an effort to create awareness and excitement about the ticket release, the Museum is launching a social media campaign that will allow Twitter users to follow Pliny the Elder (https://twitter.com/Elder_Pliny) and get a first person account of the final 24 hours in Pompeii before Mount Vesuvius' eruption.  Pliny the Elder was a Roman author, naturalist, and naval commander of the early Roman Empire. He died on August 25, AD 79 while attempting by ship to rescue a friend and his family from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Follow @Elder_Pliny or @DenverMuseumNS.

Ticket Information

General visitors pay $24 adult, $15 junior/student (ages 3-18 or with a student ID), and $17 senior (age 65+). Ticket includes admission to both A Day in Pompeii and the Museum. Timed tickets will be required and advance reservations are strongly encouraged. The Museum anticipates that popular times will sell out. For additional information on pricing, including group rates and dates for extended hours, visit www.dmns.org/pompeii.

Exhibition Information

A Day in Pompeii is based on the design and presentation developed by the Gulf Coast Exploreum, the Science Museum of Minnesota, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and Discovery Place. Organized by Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SANP).

About the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
The Denver Museum of Nature & Science is the Rocky Mountain Region's leading resource for informal science education. A variety of engaging exhibits, discussions and activities help Museum visitors celebrate and understand the natural wonders of Colorado, Earth and the universe. The Museum is located at 2001 Colorado Blvd., Denver, CO, 80205.  To learn more about the Museum, check www.dmns.org, or call 303-370-6000.

Many of the Museum's educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District.