Photographs of Herculaneum (Page 4)

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Because of the way it was buried, Herculaneum boasts a trove of preserved organic material. Delicate household objects from wooden chests and cupboards to textiles and foodstuffs have survived and remind us that the victims of Vesuvius were real people facing disaster.

These superb frescoes in the Hall of the Augustals (see below) were painted about 2000 years ago.