Top ten archaeological discoveries

Archaeological discoveries unravel secrets and challenge our ideas about human history. Here are ten discoveries that do that and more.

Pompeii
Ancient water well in Pompeii on Mount Vesuvius

After a devastating volcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD, Pompeii – an ancient Roman city – was buried under ash and pumice. The eruption destroyed the city and killed its inhabitants, a tragic story but one that left us with a vast archaeological site and a hoard of Roman treasure.

Buried under ash means no air and moisture, so buildings, objects and cadavers have stayed well-preserved for thousands of years. A great deal of our knowledge of everyday life in a Roman city is owed to the very existence of Pompeii.