Pompeii continues to surprise us, revealing new information that makes it hard to believe we have learned everything about the catastrophic eruption of 79 AD, which buried the city under three meters of lava and ash. A study published in the journal Frontiers in Earth Science traces the stories of two Pompeians who managed to escape the initial phase of the eruption, but also uncovers a largely overlooked aspect of the city’s destruction: it was not solely the fault of Vesuvius; the unfortunate residents of Pompeii also experienced a series of earthquakes at that time. For instance, these two individuals who survived the volcano were ultimately crushed by debris as tremors shook the ground. Although it has been historically acknowledged that earthquakes occurred simultaneously, scientific evidence confirming their precise impact on the disaster had been lacking until now.
“We had a partial understanding of the destruction of Pompeii,” said two of the study’s authors, Valeria Amoretti, a physical anthropologist and head of the Research Laboratory of the Archaeological Park, and Domenico Sparice from the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, in an interview with EL PAÍS. Five additional experts from both institutions contributed to the research (Fabrizio Galadini, Mauro A. Di Vito, Antonella Terracciano, Giuseppe Scarpati, and Gabriel Zuchtriegel), whose findings were initially announced in May. “The important discovery is that, for the first time, the damage and casualties caused by seismic activity during the eruption have been clearly identified. Previously, the destruction of Pompeii was attributed solely to volcanic activity (…) Seismic activity indeed played a critical role, especially between the first and second phases of the eruption, during which numerous intense earthquakes occurred,” they elaborated via email.
More information
The sequence of events acted as a perfect trap for the residents of Pompeii, resembling a nightmare scenario straight out of a disaster film. The eruption commenced at one in the afternoon with a seven-hour downpour of white pumice, which transitioned to gray pumice by eight in the evening and continued until seven the following morning. Many inhabitants, including the two highlighted in the study, sought refuge in their homes, where the weight of the volcanic debris on roofs caused many houses to collapse. Traditionally, deaths within these homes were attributed to this cause. However, the cases of these two residents indicate that some structures withstood the initial eruption, but were later devastated by subsequent earthquakes, leading to their demise amidst the falling walls. The following day, those who managed to escape were confronted by a final surge of lava, claiming the lives of many found in the streets. Determining the order of these catastrophic events has been complex, as the overwhelming result of rubble, lava, ash, and buried bodies made it difficult to decipher what transpired.
It was already established that earthquakes occurred on the day of the eruption. Pliny the Younger noted in a letter to Tacitus that one was felt during the first night (“The earthquakes that night became so intense that not only did everything shake, but it seemed to overturn”), along with powerful tremors felt at dawn on the second day: “It was the first hour of day, but the light remained dim and weak. The oxen we had sent out, even though they were on flat ground, were shaken back and forth and refused to stay in place, even when loaded with stones.”
View of the Island of the Chaste Lovers, in Pompeii.Pompeii Archaeological Park
If Pliny mentioned it, why has it been overlooked until now? “During an eruption, volcanic and seismic events can occur rapidly or simultaneously. This complicates interpretations of damage, as volcanic activities may obscure or erase evidence,” Amoretti and Sparice explain. However, the fact that lava engulfed everything has served as an advantage: “It preserves the exact moment of destruction and related evidence, protecting them from further fragmentation due to any form of decomposition,” the study explains.
One of those snapshots frozen in time, allowing researchers to dissect the timeline of events, has emerged from a recently uncovered site known as Insula dei Casti Amanti (Island of the Chaste Lovers) in central Pompeii. “The idea originated during the latest excavations when we discovered structural damage with characteristics distinct from those typically attributed to volcanic phenomena and recorded in Pompeii’s literature,” the researchers explain. Within this site were two bodies exhibiting something peculiar. “The find of two skeletons directly beneath two large wall fragments urged us to carry out a multidisciplinary investigation, which, for the first time, incorporated an expert in archaeoseismology, a field focused on determining the effects of ancient earthquakes.”
Forming a diverse team of specialists—archaeologists, volcanologists, anthropologists—proved essential for this work, which is becoming increasingly common in Pompeii: “Multidisciplinary studies are crucial in these contexts, as only by considering varied perspectives can an accurate evaluation of the cause-effect relationship emerge.” After two months of on-site work and seven months of analysis, examining volcanic layers, building structures, and injuries sustained by the two bodies has led to the conclusion that the walls collapsed due to an earthquake rather than being swept away by lava, resulting in the crushing deaths of these two individuals rather than suffocation or burns. They were, in fact, located on a layer of gray pumice from the first eruption, which had entered their house through a window from an alley. This material was no longer hot; it had already cooled, as there were no traces of burned wood. These two neighbors endured the entire night in their room until dawn, when an earthquake caused the walls to collapse, ending their lives.
“New research perspectives”
“These findings mark a starting point for a revised understanding of the destruction of Pompeii and open up new avenues for research,” the study concludes. Thus, they compel us to reassess how the Pompeians perished. Earthquakes, they state, “should be considered an additional cause of death in ancient Pompeii, supplementing those previously documented in existing literature.” According to the research, a total of 394 bodies have been retrieved from the pumice layer formed during the initial phase of the eruption. Out of these, 345 were found inside homes and it was typically believed they succumbed to collapsing roofs that could not bear the weight of the volcanic debris. However, the study suggests that this might not have applied in every instance.
Additionally, the earthquake “probably influenced the choices made by the victims during the second phase of the eruption.” This indicates that the seismic activity had an effect on people’s behavior, an aspect that has previously gone unnoticed. In the chaos of that fateful day, the decisions made by Pompeians determined their fate, as the final stage of the eruption involved a lava wave that engulfed everything. The study mentions the locations of the recovered bodies, stating that a total of 650 bodies have been found within the deposits of pyroclastic flows, both inside homes and in the streets. One hypothesis posits that survivors from the early hours left their homes or shelters during the lulls in volcanic activity. Another possibility is that some survivors who initially fled attempted to return to recover their belongings, believing the danger had passed. However, the study now suggests that it was the earthquakes that compelled those still alive in Pompeii to flee their homes, realizing that they, too, were not safe there; furthermore, the tremors likely deterred those contemplating a return. Yet, all who rushed through the streets were ultimately captured by the advancing lava flow.
In fact, the Pompeians were already quite accustomed to earthquakes. Numerous events have been recorded in preceding years. For instance, one quake in 64 occurred while Nero was performing at a theater in Naples, according to Suetonius and Tacitus. However, the most severe tremor struck in 62, leading to ongoing repair work in Pompeii even 17 years later, at the time of Vesuvius’s eruption. There are visible remnants in some structures, and it appears that renovations were still underway, with furniture found pushed into corners, stacks of lime, neatly organized building materials, and incomplete wall decorations. In essence, earthquakes were common in Pompeii, but on this particular occasion, they occurred at the worst possible moment.
All the culture that goes with you awaits you here.
Subscribe
Babelia
The latest literary releases analyzed by the best critics in our weekly newsletter
RECEIVE IT
The Unfolding Tragedy of Pompeii: Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions
Pompeii continues to reveal its secrets, challenging our understanding of the catastrophic events that unfolded during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Recent research published in the journal Frontiers in Earth Science has shed light on the lesser-known aspect of this disaster: the simultaneous earthquakes that struck the city, compounding the devastation wrought by volcanic activity.
The New Findings
The study, conducted by a team of experts from the Archaeological Park and the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology, identifies how the earthquakes contributed significantly to the destruction and loss of life in Pompeii. Valeria Amoretti, a physical anthropologist, and Domenico Sparice, a geophysicist, explained that for the first time, the impact of seismic activity during the eruption has been confirmed and documented. This breakthrough reveals that the unfortunate residents of Pompeii experienced a dual disaster that day.
A Sequence of Catastrophes
The eruption commenced at one in the afternoon, unleashing a torrential cascade of white pumice that lasted seven hours. By the evening, the pumice had darkened to a gray hue, indicating a shift in volcanic activity. Many residents sought refuge in their homes. However, the cumulative weight of volcanic debris led to structural collapses, while the ensuing earthquakes further complicated survival. The harrowing fate of two Pompeians who initially survived the eruption, only to be crushed by falling debris during the subsequent tremors, serves as a poignant reminder of this tragedy.
The Impact of Earthquakes on the Eruption
Pliny the Younger, in his correspondence with Tacitus, recorded instances of strong earthquakes coinciding with the eruption. His descriptions point to violent shocks felt during both the first and second day of the eruption. These historical accounts highlight that seismic activity was part of the catastrophic events, even if its role was previously understated in scholarly analysis.
Understanding the Cause of Collapse
Traditionally, the causes of death in Pompeii were attributed to collapsing roofs overwhelmed by volcanic ash. However, the recent findings prove this was not always the case. The two bodies found beneath a fallen wall in the Insula dei Casti Amanti revealed critical insights. Archaeological investigations indicated that structural damage resulting from earthquakes, rather than volcanic debris, was responsible for their deaths. This shifts our understanding of the mechanisms behind the fatalities during this disaster.
New Research Perspectives
This revelation opens new avenues for research, prompting experts to reconsider the overall narrative surrounding Pompeii’s destruction. The study concludes that earthquakes must be recognized as a significant factor in the demise of its citizens, potentially affecting their decisions and movements during the chaotic eruption.
The Role of Earthquakes in Populational Behavior
During the initial stages of the eruption, many residents may have felt safe in their homes despite volcanic activity. However, the intensity and unpredictability of earthquakes could have influenced their decisions to flee once they experienced tremors. This behavioral change is crucial in understanding how the population reacted to the eruption and the subsequent lava flows that claimed thousands of lives.
Historical Context
Earthquakes were not an uncommon occurrence in Pompeii; significant seismic events had previously been documented, including a notable earthquake in 62 AD. The destruction from that earthquake left the city vulnerable—repairs were ongoing when the catastrophic eruption occurred. The archaeological evidence reveals an alarming scene: buildings brimming with construction materials and furniture hastily pushed into corners, indicative of a city that had recently faced its own turmoil.
Implications of the Research
The research illustrates the complex interplay of geological events that ultimately shaped the fate of Pompeii. This nuanced understanding underscores why the ancient residents were caught in a perfect storm of disaster, providing a fresh perspective not only on Pompeii but on similar volcanic events worldwide.
Impacts on Future Research
These findings encourage a re-examination of other archaeological sites and disaster narratives, highlighting the importance of interdisciplinary studies in archaeology, geology, and anthropology. By bringing together diverse expertise, researchers can uncover deeper layers of history that reveal the intricacies of our past.
Conclusion: A City Enveloped in Mystery
The study of Pompeii’s destruction continues to evolve, revealing new horrors and challenges faced by its ill-fated citizens. As we delve deeper into the findings, we gain valuable lessons not just in history but also in the understanding of human behavior during crises. Each new discovery at Pompeii invites us to rethink our assumptions and appreciate the resilience of those who endured unimaginable devastation.
Pompeii, Vesuvius eruption, earthquakes, volcanic activity, archaeological research, historical earthquakes, human behavior in disasters, ancient Rome.
