National Geographic: In the Shadow of Vesuvius Page #3

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of everyday objects

provides an intimate look

at Roman life.

A cloth press in a cleaner's shop.

The remains of a bed.

A baby's charred cradle.

A charred doll.

Magnificent jewelry,

hand-hammered from the purest of gold.

And costume jewelry of beads,

stones, and amber.

and perhaps most astounding

of all food set on the table:

walnuts, freshly baked bread, eggs,

and figs preserved for

nearly 2,000 years.

In 1980, more than 270 years after

the initial discovery of Herculaneum,

a skeleton was uncovered on the site

of the ancient beach front.

Then three more were found there,

igniting the archeological community.

The arched chambers facing

the beach had never been excavated.

Now they cried out for attention.

Yet no one was prepared

for the landmark discovery

that would destroy scientific theory

on Herculaneum's final hours.

Many Herculaneans had not escaped.

Huddled together in the dark recesses

of the chambers,

scores were overtaken

by Vesuvius's indiscriminate rampage.

Perhaps members of the same family,

one group died locked in embrace.

Some of the victims were found wearing

valuables gold and shining gems.

Others, no doubt certain

they would escape,

gathered their treasure troves

and carried them as they fled.

Today, the cataclysm that brought

instant death

has become an unparalleled legacy

for modern scientists.

Analysis of the bone may answer some

of history's riddles

about Roman culture and daily life.

Physical anthropologist Dr. Sara Bisel

has spent her career

analyzing human bones,

but this opportunity is unique.

The reason why the Herculaneum

population is so important

is that it may well be the only one

we ever have from

the Roman period in Italy

because Roman burials were

cremations and so aren't studiable.

And we've had artifacts before,

we've had architectural remains,

we've had literature, but this is

the first time we've had real people.

I find it very moving.

Working with chief excavator

Ciro Formicola,

Bisel uncovers treasures locked

in the earth for nearly 2,000 years.

A magnificent bracelet is found

alongside a woman's remains.

No doubt a person of wealth,

she was found with much gold jewelry.

I think she must have had them

in her purse

since her arm is off

in another direction.

Oh, this one has a little chain.

Her earrings, meant for pierced ears,

were probably decorated with pearls.

And as she ran,

she carried a bronze oil lamp

futile protection against the dark.

I take them out of the ground

because they talk to me then.

They don't talk to me as much in

the ground as they do to other people.

But when I get them out, then they

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