HASS7 History: Ancient Rome: Pompeii: Videos

Lost Worlds: Pompeii

Pompeii was one of the most famous volcanic eruptions in human history. The way in which the people of Pompeii died is well known but how they lived largely remains a mystery, until now. For years archaeologists have speculated over conflicting evidence, but now an extraordinary find has emerged which promises to shed a whole new light on life in Pompeii. In a dark cellar in Oplontis, just three kilometres from the centre of Pompeii, the preserved remains of 74 skeletons which didn't succumb to the torrent of volcanic ash are about to be put under the microscope of forensic science. What is most interesting about the remains is that they are physically divided on either side of the room into two distinct groups: on one side the rich with fabulous treasure and jewels, on the other their slaves and servants with nothing. A barrage of tests will unlock the secrets of how these two very different halves of Roman society lived, producing the most comprehensive scientific snapshot ever of Pompeian life before the eruption - and the results are surprising.

SOURCE: ClickView Exchange (2009) from ABC Television, Rated E, Duration 54:28 mins.

Buried Alive: Pompeii [Duration 13:00 mins, Rated G]

Two-thousand years ago, Rome was an all-powerful empire and Pompeii was one of its prosperous provincial towns - until Mount Vesuvius exploded in the largest eruption ever recorded. In a matter of hours the thriving city was entombed under a thick layer of ash and debris, undiscovered for centuries. This episode recreates the events leading up to the explosion and shows how the ash kept the city and its inhabitants - the only significant discovery of Roman Bodies ever - in a unique state of preservation. Wander through the ancient streets of this sophisticated society and witness current excavations.

SOURCE: Nine Digital (1996) Buried Alive: Pompeii, posted on ClickView, 

Cities of Vesuvius: Pompeii and Herculaneum [Rated E; Duration 1:13:03]

Mount Vesuvius erupted almost 2000 years ago. The inhabitants of nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum suffered horrific deaths, before being buried under tonnes of volcanic rock and mud. For centuries their story was forgotten. Gradually over the last 250 years, their secrets have been unearthed, giving us a remarkable insight into an ancient society. This programme, filmed in Pompeii and Herculaneum, reveals details of their everyday lives, occupations, religion, politics, entertainment, the influence of foreign cultures, and the architecture of both public buildings and private homes.

SOURCE:  (2008) Cities of Vesuvius: Pompeii and Herculaneum, posted on ClickView,