Ercolano and Herculaneum

It was difficult to choose which photograph to use as a blip but decided on this one as it shows the close relationship between the modern town, once named Resina, and Herculaneum. There is still much more to be discovered but it lies under Ercolano.

This town, originally on the coast, was also destroyed by the great eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79 but in a different way to Pompeii. Pompeii was buried under a poisonous ash cloud and debris from overhead whereas Herculaneum was filled from the bottom up with 65 feet of volcanic mud so the destruction was very different. Many were able to escape. Here there are still nearly complete houses standing and items of furniture as the wet mud was good for conservation. There are small amounts of the original wood and beams in a few houses. Pompeii was a holiday town for the nouveau riche while Herculaneum was for the upper classes. No brothel has been discovered here - yet! - but there were a few bars with great pots set in counters for food and drink. The mud has now hardened to a sort of sandstone and can be seen enclosing the ruins as one descends. The sound of frogs croaking by the waterside buildings of the marina is very noticeable in the one remaining pool of water.