One of many victims of Mount Vesuvius at Pompeii

A plaster cast of a victim buried beneath volcanic ash

Plaster cast of a victim of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius at Pompeii archeological site

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Among the many reminders of the disaster, the plaster casts of Pompeii's victims are particularly striking. This is one of numerous examples that can be seen during a visit to the site.
During the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, volcanic deposits buried the inhabitants and covered their bodies. Over time, the organic remains decomposed, leaving cavities in the deposits that had hardened around them. By pouring plaster into these impressions, archaeologists were able to recreate the shapes and positions of the victims.
The result is astonishingly lifelike. Looking at these casts, we become truly aware of the violence of the eruption and the tragic fate of the inhabitants of this Roman city. This discovery adds a particularly moving dimension to a visit to Pompeii.