Herculaneum, << `hur` kyuh LAY nee uhm, >> was an ancient Roman city in Italy. Like nearby Pompeii , it was buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79. The mud and lava that buried Herculaneum also preserved it for hundreds of years. Archaeologists have removed many layers of hardened mud and lava, revealing the streets, buildings, and art of the ancient city.
Herculaneum was a small, prosperous city with a good harbor. It stood at the foot of Mount Vesuvius, about 6 miles (10 kilometers) from Naples. The city served as a resort for Roman aristocrats, and it contained many artistic treasures. A large earthquake that probably occurred in A.D. 62 damaged Herculaneum and other cities in the area.
In 79, Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying Herculaneum, Pompeii, and other cities. Thousands of people died, but many were able to escape. Herculaneum was buried under more than 65 feet (20 meters) of mud and lava, which hardened like concrete when it cooled. This coating preserved the city better than Pompeii, which was covered in hot ashes and cinders.
The discovery of the ruins of Herculaneum happened by accident in 1709. A worker sank a shaft for a well and struck the upper seats of an ancient theater. The government of Naples launched an excavation (uncovering by digging) of the city in the mid-1700’s. The task was complicated by how deep Herculaneum was buried and by the modern town of Resina above the ruins. The project made little progress through the 1700’s and 1800’s.
In 1926, archaeologists resumed the excavation using modern tools and techniques. Although the ruins had been damaged by earlier excavations, much of the city was well preserved. One house contained wonderful marble and bronze statues, paintings, and papyrus rolls, most of which are housed at the National Archaeological Museum in Naples. Much of Herculaneum has been uncovered and is open to tourists. In 1997, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO) added Herculaneum to its World Heritage List . UNESCO World Heritage Sites are places of unique natural or cultural importance.
