Pompeii

Predicted Pompeii 79A.D

Current Pompeii Ruins

Pompeii was an ancient Roman town-city near modern Naples in the Italian region of Campania. The history channel's website describes this town as a treasure and wonder to the world. "Mount Vesuvius, a volcano near the Bay of Naples in Italy, is hundreds of thousands of years old and has erupted more than 50 times. Its most famous eruption took place in the year 79 A.D., when the volcano buried the ancient Roman city of Pompeii under a thick carpet of volcanic ash. The dust “poured across the land” like a flood, one witness wrote, and shrouded the city in “a darkness…like the black of closed and unlighted rooms.” Two thousand people died, and the city was abandoned for almost as many years. When a group of explorers rediscovered the site in 1748, they were surprised to find that--underneath a thick layer of dust and debris--Pompeii was mostly intact. The buildings, artifacts and skeletons left behind in the buried city have taught us a great deal about everyday life in the ancient world," (history).

Predicted Pompeii

I am very impressed by this remarkable discovery. At first when I learned that this town was buried, I was unsure why we would be researching this time period in interior design...From what I learned Pompeii was a flourishing resort for Rome’s most distinguished citizens. It contained elegant houses and elaborate villas that lined the paved streets. Tourists, townspeople and slaves occupied small factories and artisans’ shops, taverns and cafes, and brothels and bathhouses.

Ceiling Tile

Modern Ceiling Tile

The design during this  time period is hard to tell but from what was discovered we can tell it has been very influential. There has been a lot uncovered of counter-tops with holes inside the surface. It has been the thought that the holes had ice or hot coals in them and a platter would sit on top, keeping food hot or cold.

Island counter with stove top

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Pompeii counter top

 I find this time period very interesting and I hope to learn more on the design during this time.

For more on this era and wonder of the world watch: "the mystery of people frozen in time" mini documentary at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QScagfQC5-w

Resources:
http://www.history.com/topics/pompeii