Why the Bodies of Pompeii’s Dead Look Like Stone

Through the centuries, the fascinating site of Pompeii has captured the imaginations of people worldwide. One of the most intriguing aspects of this ancient Roman city is the preservation of its citizensrsquo; bodies, which appear almost frozen in timelike stone. However, these bodies did not literally turn into stone during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. So, what happened?

Understanding the Eruption of Mount Vesuvius

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD was a cataclysmic event that buried the city of Pompeii beneath layers of volcanic ash and pyroclastic flows. This eruption was not just a force of nature but a complex series of events that affected the city and its inhabitants in numerous ways.

Pyroclastic Flows and Preservation

Pyroclastic flows are a mixture of hot volcanic gases, rock fragments, and volcanic ash. These flows are incredibly hotoften reaching temperatures of around 1000 degrees Celsius (1832 degrees Fahrenheit). Such extreme temperatures are capable of rapidly boiling away all bodily fluids, leading to the quick death of victims by thermal shock. Interestingly, while the pyroclastic flows seared the flesh, they left clothing and other organic materials relatively intact. However, the extremely hot and dry conditions caused the bodies to quickly dry out and decompose, leaving behind voids in the layers of volcanic ash.

Archaeological Discoveries and Body Casting

Between the mid-18th and the late 19th century, as archaeologists began to excavate Pompeii and neighboring Herculaneum, they discovered voids in the volcanic ash that contained the remains of people and animals. One of the key figures in the development of body casting techniques was Giuseppe Fiorelli, the director of excavations in Pompeii from 1860 to 1863.

In 1864, Fiorelli pioneered a method to create a more accurate impression of the bodies that had been buried by the eruption. He poured plaster of Paris into these voids, allowing it to set around the dried remains. This method created highly detailed casts of the bodies as they were at the time of death. Over the years, this technique has become standard in archaeological digs when dealing with such voids.

Conclusion

The bodies of those who died in Pompeii did not turn into stone. Instead, due to the extreme heat and dryness of the pyroclastic flow, the bodies rapidly decomposed, leaving behind hollow voids in the layers of volcanic ash. Archaeologists then used these voids to create plaster casts that preserved the shape of the bodies, creating an eerie, life-like impression of those who perished. This process has provided invaluable insight into the lives and deaths of the ancient inhabitants of Pompeii.