2010 10 16 - Exhibition "Pompeii: Life in a Roman Town 79 CE"

Presented by National Museum of Singapore, and organised by Melbourne Museum and Soprintendenza Speciale per i beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei

Venue	Exhibition Galleries 1 & 2, Basement
Date	SAT 16 OCT 2010 - SUN 23 JAN 2011 | 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

In 79CE, the cosmopolitan city of Pompeii and much of its surrounding area were buried under volcanic ash and pumice following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in southern Italy. It was not until the mid-18th century that this city was slowly revealed to the world through archaeological excavations. Pompeii was a bustling and prosperous Roman town with around 20,000 inhabitants at the time of its destruction. Its strategic location, mild climate and fertile soil provided the impetus to the productive agricultural industry as well as the thriving fishing and shipping industries.

As Pompeii’s economy flourished, the city also grew culturally vibrant and people became more affluent. Over 270 objects from the Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei (SANP), including jewels, frescoes, sculptures and household items, will be on display to reconstruct Pompeii. Highlights include body casts of eight victims, who were ‘immortalised’ during their last moments when Mount Vesuvius erupted, gladiators’ gear, a mosaic fountain and frescoes from the House of the Golden Bracelet.

Credits: Collection of Soprintendenza Speciale per i Beni Archeologici di Napoli e Pompei

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