Herculaneum’s ‘Lady with the Ring’ Speaks from the Ashes: 2,000-Year-Old Roman Woman Revealed With Her Precious Gold Still On—Shocking Time Capsule Unveiled!
The enigmatic “lady with the ring” of Herculaneum: the last moments of a Roman woman preserved in time
In the ancient city of Herculaneum, an extraordinary discovery has captured the imagination of historians and archaeologists alike. The “Lady with the Ring,” as she is now known, was a Roman woman of about 45 years of age who perished near the ancient coast during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Her final moments, preserved beneath layers of volcanic ash, offer a poignant glimpse of a life frozen in time.
Unearthed among the ruins, the “Lady with the Ring” was found surrounded by an exquisite collection of gold jewellery. Among the treasures discovered were two gold rings that remained on her left hand, a testament to her wealth and status. These artefacts not only provide an insight into Roman craftsmanship, but also highlight the personal and cultural importance of adornment in Roman society. The presence of such jewellery suggests that she was of high social standing or had significant wealth, and the way in which they were preserved offers a rare snapshot of the luxury and craftsmanship of the period.
Herculaneum, located in what is now the modern commune of Ercolano in Italy, was a prosperous and bustling city of the Roman Empire. Like its neighbor Pompeii, it was buried under a blanket of volcanic ash and pumice during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This sudden and catastrophic event, while devastating, inadvertently served as a time capsule that preserved the city in a state of near-complete preservation. The thick layer of ash that covered Herculaneum played a crucial role in protecting it from looting, natural erosion, and the ravages of time.
Although Herculaneum is less famous than Pompeii today, it holds a special place in the annals of archaeology. It was the first of the cities buried by Vesuvius to be discovered and explored, offering researchers invaluable insight into Roman life. For many years, it was the only known city buried by Vesuvius, making its discoveries particularly important.
The story of the “Lady with the Ring” adds a deeply personal dimension to the broader historical narrative of Herculaneum. Her preserved remains and the jewellery found with her provide a vivid connection to the past, allowing us to glimpse not only the grandeur of Roman society, but also the individual experiences of its people. This discovery underlines the extraordinary preservation of Herculaneum and continues to capture the imagination of those interested in the lives and stories of ancient civilisations.
Review: Top 10 Cloud Services in the USA
Cloud computing has transformed how businesses operate, offering scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions for storage, computing, and application management. The U.S. leads the global cloud market, with providers delivering innovative services tailored to startups, enterprises, and everything in between. Below is a comprehensive review of the top 10 cloud service providers in the USA for 2025, based on market share, service offerings, and customer feedback.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS dominates with a 31% global market share, generating $24.2 billion in Q4 2023 revenue. It offers over 200 services, including compute (EC2), storage (S3), AI (SageMaker), and analytics. AWS’s 33 regions and 105 availability zones ensure low latency and high reliability. Its pay-as-you-go pricing starts at ~$0.0832/hour for a t3.large instance (2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM). Ideal for businesses needing scalability and cutting-edge AI tools.
Microsoft AzureAzure holds a 24% market share and is the fastest-growing major provider, with 30% revenue growth in 2023. It offers 200+ services, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, with strengths in AI, IoT, and enterprise integration. Azure’s pricing for a 2 vCPU, 8GB RAM instance (D2s v3) starts at ~$0.096/hour. Its hybrid cloud solutions and Microsoft ecosystem make it a top choice for enterprises.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)GCP, with an 11.5% market share, excels in AI, machine learning (TensorFlow, BigQuery), and data analytics. It offers 150+ services across 24 regions and 73 zones. Pricing for an e2-standard-2 instance (2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM) starts at ~$0.070/hour, with up to 57% discounts for committed use. GCP is favored by data-driven businesses and developers.
IBM CloudIBM Cloud provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS with a focus on enterprise-grade security, AI (Watson), and hybrid/multi-cloud deployments. It serves industries like healthcare and finance, offering 170+ services. Pricing varies, but its pay-as-you-go model is competitive. IBM’s strong partner ecosystem and AIOps solutions enhance business transformation.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)Oracle Cloud is gaining traction with its high-performance computing and database services. It offers cost-effective pricing, with a free tier and discounts for committed use. OCI’s focus on enterprise applications, like ERP and CRM, makes it ideal for large organizations. Its global network includes 40+ regions.
DigitalOceanDigitalOcean targets startups and developers with simple, affordable cloud hosting. Plans start at $2.50/month for 0.5GB RAM, 10GB storage, and 1 vCPU. Its managed databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and monitoring tools ensure reliability. DigitalOcean’s free credits and Hatch program support early-stage businesses.
VMware CloudVMware, now under Broadcom, specializes in multi-cloud and hybrid cloud solutions. It supports AWS, Azure, and GCP, offering consistent management across environments. VMware’s virtualization expertise and low-cost migration tools make it a top pick for enterprises modernizing data centers.
SalesforceSalesforce focuses on cloud-based CRM and customer service solutions. Its Service Cloud automates workflows and integrates with AI for personalized customer experiences. With 1.5 million users, it’s a leader for businesses prioritizing customer engagement. Pricing is subscription-based, tailored to business size.
CloudflareCloudflare is a CDN and security-focused provider, offering DDoS protection, DNS, and content delivery. Its user-friendly interface and integrations with WordPress and Shopify appeal to businesses needing fast, secure web performance. Pricing includes a free tier and pay-as-you-go plans.
Linode (Akamai) Linode, acquired by Akamai, offers developer-friendly cloud hosting with transparent pricing and a free tier. It integrates with Akamai’s CDN for enhanced performance. Plans start at $5/month for 1GB RAM, 25GB storage, and 1 vCPU. Linode is ideal for SMBs and tech-savvy users.
Choosing the Right Provider
Selecting a cloud provider depends on your needs: AWS, Azure, and GCP dominate for scalability and enterprise solutions; DigitalOcean and Linode cater to startups; Salesforce excels in CRM; and Cloudflare prioritizes web performance. Compare pricing, scalability, and security features. Check reviews on platforms like Gartner or Forbes Cloud 100 for insights. As cloud spending grows (projected at $591.8 billion in 2023), ensure your choice aligns with long-term goals.
