The Mystery of Pompeii: Human Figures from 2,000 Years Ago Recreated as ‘Plaster Statues’ in the Vesuvius Volcano Tragedy

On August 24, 79 AD, the city of Pompeii, a prosperous Roman city located in southern Italy, was suddenly buried under a shower of ash and pumice after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This natural disaster, which claimed the lives of thousands of people, left Pompeii frozen in time, making it an unparalleled window into the daily life of the Roman Empire. Among the most impressive discoveries made at this archaeological site are the human figures, casts that capture with heartbreaking precision the last moments of the inhabitants of Pompeii.

The discovery of these human figures began in the 19th century, during excavations led by the Italian archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli. It was he who, in 1863, devised an innovative method to recover the shapes of the victims of Vesuvius. When excavating, archaeologists found voids in the layer of hardened ash that appeared to correspond to where the bodies had lain. These spaces, formed by the decomposition of organic tissues over time, were filled with liquid plaster to create an exact cast of the people who perished during the eruption.

The resulting life-size figures offer an accurate and moving representation of the victims’ last moments. Some of the captured postures show individuals trying to protect themselves from the ash rain, while others reflect the desperation of people huddled together in a futile attempt to take shelter. Among the most notable finds are figures of complete families, children hugging their parents and even domestic animals, which also succumbed to the disaster.

Each plaster cast provides a unique view of human suffering during the eruption of Vesuvius. The figures are detailed to the point of showing clothing, facial expressions and the exact positions in which they died. Some casts even reveal jewelry or metal belts left in place, allowing archaeologists to gain additional information about the social class and lifestyle of the victims.

Initially, scientists speculated that the victims had died from asphyxiation by the dense cloud of ash and hot gas. However, recent research suggests that the main cause of death was exposure to extremely hot pyroclastic flows, which reached temperatures of up to 500 degrees Celsius. These flows instantly incinerated the victims, leaving behind their footprints in the ash layer.

Over the years, excavations at Pompeii have revealed hundreds of human figures, but much remains to be discovered. New technologies, such as computed tomography and 3D analysis, are allowing researchers to study molds without damaging them, revealing details invisible to the naked eye. In addition, chemical studies are being carried out to analyze the remains of organic materials trapped in the ash, which could offer new clues about the diet, health and customs of the inhabitants of Pompeii.

The archaeological site of Pompeii remains a focus of inexhaustible research. Continued conservation and excavation efforts are revealing more about the tragedy that occurred nearly 2,000 years ago and about life in a Roman city in its heyday. The human figures, with their striking realism, not only provide invaluable information to archaeologists, but also evoke deep empathy and understanding of human suffering trapped in time.

Pompeii, with its streets, buildings and figures cast in plaster, remains a moving testimony to the destructive force of nature and the fragility of human life. The eruption of Vesuvius buried the city, but also preserved a unique fragment of ancient history that continues to fascinate and amaze the world.