Doomsday in Pompeii

In 79AD, after centuries of dormancy, Mount Vesuvius erupted, covering the surrounding cities with a thick layer of volcanic ash, pumice and mud. One such city was Pompeii. The eruption had killed thousands - but the pumice and mud formed a natural and unique 'time capsule' that preserved the buildings, sculptures and even human remains. What these remains have shown us are details of the everyday life of Romans thousands of years ago... the discovery of the city 1700 years after its obliteration has gripped the public's imagination, making it arguably one of the most famous historical sites on Earth.