Herculaneum

August 08, 2016

Hercu1_IMG_1547 (7)

Hercu2_IMG_1477 (7)

Hercu3_IMG_1516 (6)

Photographer: Jim Bucko
Summary Author: Jim Bucko

Like Pompeii and Stabiae, Herculaneum (top photo) was also destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius on August 24, 79 AD. However, unlike Pompeii and Stabiae, which were covered by hot ash, Herculaneum was blasted with a pyroclastic flow of mud and debris. Consequently, some items like wood and bones have been relatively well preserved here. The remains of a number of victims who were trying to escape the eruption were found along what were then the boat docks. Their bones have been accurately recreated as they were found (middle photo). Additionally, several frescos and mosaics (bottom photo) were discovered inside a few of the homes of Herculaneum's upper-class citizens. Vesuvius is in the background of the top photo -- all photos taken in early July 2016.

Photo Details: Top - Camera: Canon PowerShot SD1200 IS; Focal Length: 11.6mm; Aperture: ƒ/4.0; Exposure Time: 0.0016 s (1/640); ISO equiv: 80. Middle - same except: Focal Length: 6.2mm; Aperture: ƒ/2.8; Exposure Time: 0.017 s (1/60). Bottom - same as middle except: Exposure Time: 0.0040 s (1/250); ISO equiv: 80.

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