A visit to Pompeii

St. Paul, Minn. — Mt. Vesuvius erupted 1,928 years ago. When it did, in the year 79, it destroyed Pompeii. The city was buried in ash and hot, rocky debris. Thousands who couldn't flee the disaster died. Their homes, belongings, and way of life was left suspended for nearly two millenia.

But when excavations began in the 18th century, Pompeii yielded an unequalled look at everyday life in ancient Rome. A rare display of Pompeii's artifacts is now in the Twin Cities at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul.

"A Day in Pompeii" features a glimpse at daily life in the ruined Italian town. It also features plaster casts that reveal some of the victims of Vesuvius in their final moments.

MPR's Tom Crann visited the exhibit with Beth Severy-Hoven, a classics professor at Macalester College. She's been to Pompeii several times, and has taken students there.

Broadcast Dates

• All Things Considered, 06/29/2007, 6:20 p.m.
• All Things Considered, 06/29/2007, 6:19 p.m.
• All Things Considered, 12/28/2007, 6:20 p.m.