The Ancient Pompeiians Still Speak: The AD 79 Vesuvius Eruption and Its Catastrophic Sequence Told by Its Victims

This study re-examines the circumstances of the death of the inhabitants of Pompeii during the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius, considering both archaeological discoveries and stratigraphic analyses. Several evidences indicate that a substantial number of roofs and buildings withstood for many hours after the eruption began, allowing residents to shelter indoors. Subsequently, intense earthquakes triggered widespread structural collapse. We infer that many individuals likely died when they attempted to flee in terror from the seismic tremors that occurred during the eruption. Our investigation aims to define the stratigraphic position of many victims even when it is not documented by archaeological descriptions. This allows us to trace the time of death and its coincidence with the phases of the eruption, and therefore to understand when Pompeiians attempted to save themselves. For this purpose, the necessary constraints to obtain a cast are investigated through historical documentation, recent archaeological reports, and direct observations. Excavation works related to restoration (ongoing for over two centuries), vegetation removal, and modern activities complicate the volcanological record. Despite this, the surviving structures and volcanic products, with the location of victims allow a more nuanced understanding of how and when many Pompeiians died. These findings highlight the crucial role of co?eruptive seismicity in the deadly dynamics of the disaster, as well as the chances of survival that might exist with today’s knowledge.