Pompeii is constantly revealing new treasures. This has been the case since the new archaeological excavation campaign launched in 2018: skeletons, frescoes, graffiti teach us more and more about the life and last moments of its inhabitants.

In 2010, in Pompeii, the collapse of the Schola Armaturarum – the House of the Gladiators – triggered a vast operation to save the site and new archaeological excavations: they are still ongoing today and have allowed extraordinary treasures from this buried past to be unearthed.

The last fugitive from the lapilli rain

In 79 AD, the eruption of Vesuvius brutally fossilized the city of Pompeii, which was buried under volcanic scoria. That day, a gigantic fiery cloud fell on the inhabitants who were taken by surprise.

Beautiful notable residence, the house of Jupiter

And what the scientists discovered was astonishing – especially regarding the futile escape of some of them: they examined the skeleton of a man in his thirties found in the street, with a purse filled with silver sesterces and bronze aces at his side. In the magazine Géo(New window), journalist Jean-Paul Mari reconstructs the escape of the “fugitive”.

“Unlike the excavations of the 1950s, we use equipment that reveals little-known aspects of the city, and better still, the team is interdisciplinary. We obtain a life-size snapsH๏τ of the vanished city”.

Discoveries of frescoes and mosaics

In houses, scientists are making exceptional frescoes in bright colors reappear on the walls.

One of the most beautiful portraits of Narcissus found in Pompeii.

And on the ground, intact mosaics.

Mosaic of Orion and the Scorpion discovered in the house of Jupiter.

“We have uncovered a thermopolium, the equivalent of our fast-food restaurant, with its counter open onto the sidewalk, a stone bench, large amphorae full of oil.”