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Narrator: The lost roman town
of herculaneum,
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Buried in the devastating
eruption of mount vesuvius.
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00:00:10,311 --> 00:00:14,646
This is the best-preserved town
in the whole roman world.
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00:00:14,648 --> 00:00:18,717
Narrator: The destruction of its
neighbor, pompeii, is legendary.
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00:00:18,719 --> 00:00:22,054
But herculaneum's story
is a mystery.
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00:00:22,056 --> 00:00:26,258
What really happened during
its terrifying final hours?
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Today, scientists
use forensic technology
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00:00:36,771 --> 00:00:39,004
And multispectral imaging
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00:00:39,006 --> 00:00:43,042
To reveal the shocking truth
behind herculaneum's fate.
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00:00:43,044 --> 00:00:45,644
Blank: Reading the papyrus
has been the biggest challenge
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00:00:45,646 --> 00:00:48,480
That I've had
in my professional life.
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00:00:48,482 --> 00:00:53,786
Narrator:
Why does fiery vesuvius preserve
this town in astonishing detail?
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Giordano: Herculaneum
is completely changing
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Our understanding of what
happened on that terrible day.
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Narrator: Can new discoveries
here change the way
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We see the most famous
volcanic eruption of all time?
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To solve these mysteries,
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We'll dig inside this
extraordinary volcanic tomb.
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We'll tunnel
into ancient buildings
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And come face-to-face
with their doomed residents
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And reveal the dark secrets
of pompeii's forgotten twin.
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-- Captions by vitac --
www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
discovery communications
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♪
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In the bay of naples in Italy
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Lies a buried ancient wonder --
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Herculaneum,
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A roman town that sits
in the shadow of mount vesuvius.
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In 79 a.D.,
this fiery giant erupts,
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Destroying this town
and its neighbor pompeii.
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Today, pompeii is world-famous,
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But herculaneum,
in comparison, is unknown.
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00:02:03,624 --> 00:02:07,526
Beneath these modern streets
lies a lost world.
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00:02:10,798 --> 00:02:14,566
Buried under 75 feet
of volcanic material,
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A town frozen in time
for nearly 2000 years.
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Roads criss-crossed
the ghost town,
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Flanked on each side
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By the scorched remains of
shops, bars, and homes.
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But in its prime, its streets
are colorful and vibrant.
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This is a town
home to over 4,000 people.
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But just four miles to the east,
the sleeping volcano vesuvius.
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Can new discoveries here
give us fresh insight
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Into the terrifying eruption?
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The town covers an area
the size of 30 football fields.
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But three-quarters of it
remains buried.
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Andrew wallace hadrill
is director
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Of the herculaneum
conservation project.
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He investigates the final hours
of this extraordinary town.
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Herculaneum was destroyed
in the same eruption as pompeii.
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00:03:19,166 --> 00:03:23,035
But unlike pompeii,
the quality of preservation here
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Is quite exceptional.
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Narrator: Herculaneum is
a volcanic time capsule.
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It is preserved in a flash,
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Burying clues that can now
reveal exactly what happens
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When vesuvius erupts.
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Narrator: Look at the height to
which this house is preserved.
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There are upper floors there.
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In pompeii, upper floors
are mostly completely destroyed.
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00:03:48,362 --> 00:03:49,995
And then there's woodwork.
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00:03:49,997 --> 00:03:52,764
Look at this wooden screen
going across.
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The preservation of this
wooden screen is extraordinary.
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Narrator: It's not just
buildings that are
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Frozen in time here.
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00:04:02,176 --> 00:04:03,942
Inside the buildings,
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Archaeologists discover
thousands of objects.
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One of the rarest things
about herculaneum
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Is the survival
of wooden furniture.
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Here we've got a bed,
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Wonderful sort of
chest of drawers,
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And here's a very moving
thing -- a cradle.
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The baby was lying in the cradle
when they found it.
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Narrator: Excavators also find
remains of food.
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Hadrill: Here are some figs.
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Herculaneum was famous
for its figs.
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You can almost nibble at them.
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And here --
this is my favorite --
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A loaf of bread.
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And it comes from the baker
ready scored for breaking off.
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Narrator: Herculaneum is
uncovered accidentally
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In the 18th century
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When a farmer is digging
for a well and finds a wall.
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Today, archaeologists are
still excavating the town
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From under millions
of tons of volcanic rock.
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In one corner,
an enormous villa emerges.
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What we see here is the cliff
face of an enormous excavation,
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00:05:13,480 --> 00:05:16,548
And right down at the bottom
of it is the villa.
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We've only excavated
a small corner of it,
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About a tenth
of the whole villa.
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The rest continues way off
in that direction.
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Narrator: When the original
excavation starts
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At the huge villa,
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Workmen carve narrow tunnels
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Into the thick volcanic rock
by hand.
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After more than
two years of digging,
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They break through into a room
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With strange black cylinders
scattered on the floor
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And on shelves.
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Over 1,700 papyrus scrolls
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Baked black
by the heat of the eruption.
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This is the only intact library
from the ancient world.
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A monumental find.
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What can these scrolls
reveal about life here
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In the shadow of vesuvius?
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00:06:11,905 --> 00:06:14,139
The tunnels excavated
through the villa
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Are off-limits to most visitors.
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Andrew has unique access
to explore
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This claustrophobic labyrinth.
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So here we are deep under
tons of volcanic material
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Chucked out by vesuvius
that solidifies to hard rock.
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Narrator: These tunnels
are still untouched
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Since the 1700s.
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Deep down here,
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Right at the end
of this tunnel,
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Is where the excavators found
the library of papyri.
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Narrator: Most of the library
remains under volcanic rock.
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Only a small section
has been explored.
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Hadrill: This is the tiny room
in which the explorers
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Of the villa found hundreds
of rolls of papyrus.
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00:07:02,523 --> 00:07:06,258
They looked like
burnt lumps of coal.
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00:07:06,260 --> 00:07:09,494
Initially, they started chucking
them away until they realized
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00:07:09,496 --> 00:07:11,763
"no, this is something
much more precious.
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00:07:11,765 --> 00:07:13,799
There's writing on them."
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Narrator:
But what do the scrolls say?
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Hadrill: These papyrus scrolls
are so blackened
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That it's virtually impossible
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To read the black ink
against the black paper.
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Narrator: Today, the fragile
scrolls are stored here
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At the national library
in naples.
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00:07:32,586 --> 00:07:36,788
Papyrologist david blank
works to decode
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These mysterious ancient texts.
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Blank: Reading the papyrus
and reconstructing its text
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00:07:44,131 --> 00:07:46,932
And then making sense of it
has been the biggest challenge
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00:07:46,934 --> 00:07:48,834
That I've had
in my professional life.
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Narrator: When the scrolls
are found back in the 1700s,
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They cause a sensation.
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People come from across
the globe to see them.
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00:08:03,717 --> 00:08:07,085
They soon become
political currency.
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00:08:07,087 --> 00:08:09,921
The king of naples
gives six scrolls to napoleon
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00:08:09,923 --> 00:08:11,556
As a peace offering.
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00:08:14,328 --> 00:08:18,830
He also gifts 18 scrolls
to the british
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00:08:18,832 --> 00:08:22,334
In exchange for
18 live kangaroos.
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But whenever someone tries
to open them,
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They crumble to dust.
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Many scrolls are destroyed
in an attempt to read them.
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What secrets
do the scrolls hide?
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00:08:41,388 --> 00:08:42,854
Blank: The papyri are
extremely fragile.
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If you touch them,
they fall apart.
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Sometimes they fall apart
even if you don't touch them.
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Sometimes there are also
holes in them
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Because parts have
stuck together.
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Narrator: Reading the damaged
fragments is almost impossible
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With the naked eye.
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We have basically
a black background
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00:09:00,874 --> 00:09:03,108
In the better preserved papyri,
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And then you have the ink which
is slightly shiny on top of it.
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You can barely see it.
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00:09:09,983 --> 00:09:13,018
Narrator: To decipher them,
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David uses a groundbreaking
technology created by nasa
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00:09:16,957 --> 00:09:20,225
Called multispectral imaging.
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00:09:20,227 --> 00:09:22,961
It uses different wavelengths
of infrared light
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To separate the ink
from the background.
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Suddenly you could see
whole lines of letters and text
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That you could actually
then reconstruct
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Into an intelligible
piece of writing.
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So in essence, we're using
digital-age technology
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To read something that was
written 2,000 years ago.
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And that's really pretty great.
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Narrator: David believes the
scrolls may hide clues
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About the villa.
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Blank:
To know how to read in rome
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Was already something of
a rare-ish achievement.
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And to own a lot of books,
to own a library
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And a place in which
you could store them,
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In which you could read them,
and so on,
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Was something that really only
wealthy people could do.
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Narrator: When david deciphers
the fragments,
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He discovers that most
of the scrolls are written
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By a greek philosopher.
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It's a vital clue to the
identity of the villa's owner.
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Blank: This philosopher had
a very important roman patron
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Who was piso.
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00:10:26,827 --> 00:10:32,163
And piso was also the
father-in-law of julius caesar,
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00:10:32,165 --> 00:10:33,932
And so a person
who can obviously afford
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00:10:33,934 --> 00:10:36,701
This extremely
luxurious establishment.
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00:10:39,006 --> 00:10:43,308
Narrator:
Julius caesar is one of the
most famous romans in history.
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Rome's all powerful dictator.
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His father-in-law's villa
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Is one of
the most magnificent ever found.
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It's almost 800 feet long.
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Inside are the ruins of what
once were beautiful terraces,
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A swimming pool,
and a private vineyard.
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00:11:04,331 --> 00:11:06,598
Andrew believes
the villa de papyri
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00:11:06,600 --> 00:11:10,568
Reveals what sort of place
herculaneum is.
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00:11:10,570 --> 00:11:13,338
Hadrill: In its present state,
you can only begin to imagine
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00:11:13,340 --> 00:11:17,475
The extraordinary size
and beauty of this villa.
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00:11:17,477 --> 00:11:20,612
This is rich at a global level.
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00:11:20,614 --> 00:11:24,916
This is a guy who was
father-in-law of julius caesar.
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00:11:24,918 --> 00:11:30,155
You don't get more important
than that in roman society.
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00:11:30,157 --> 00:11:34,025
Narrator:
The discovery of the villa
and its incredible papyri
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00:11:34,027 --> 00:11:36,828
Reveal that herculaneum
is far wealthier
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00:11:36,830 --> 00:11:41,299
And important
than its neighbor pompeii.
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00:11:41,301 --> 00:11:45,303
You can think of pompeii
as a working city.
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00:11:45,305 --> 00:11:49,507
Herculaneum, by comparison,
is more of a vacation city.
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00:11:49,509 --> 00:11:52,911
This area was the playground
of the roman rich.
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00:11:52,913 --> 00:11:57,549
The people who made money out of
an empire came on holiday here
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00:11:57,551 --> 00:12:02,053
And spread out in full luxury.
207
00:12:02,055 --> 00:12:04,355
Narrator: Herculaneum's
remarkable treasures
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00:12:04,357 --> 00:12:08,827
Reveal a wealthy town
cut off in its prime.
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00:12:08,829 --> 00:12:11,362
Its citizens abandoned
their elegant homes
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00:12:11,364 --> 00:12:14,766
In a desperate attempt
to escape.
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00:12:14,768 --> 00:12:18,937
Why is herculaneum
so well-preserved?
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00:12:18,939 --> 00:12:20,705
How does so much of this town
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00:12:20,707 --> 00:12:23,975
Survive a catastrophic
volcanic eruption?
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00:12:23,977 --> 00:12:30,148
♪
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00:12:36,623 --> 00:12:40,658
♪
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00:12:40,660 --> 00:12:44,229
Narrator:
The roman town of herculaneum --
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00:12:44,231 --> 00:12:47,465
An astonishing time capsule.
218
00:12:47,467 --> 00:12:51,102
The same volcanic eruption
that destroys pompeii
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00:12:51,104 --> 00:12:53,471
Fossilizes this town.
220
00:12:53,473 --> 00:12:57,542
Archaeologists
discover furniture, food,
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00:12:57,544 --> 00:13:00,211
Even thousands
of papyrus scrolls.
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00:13:00,213 --> 00:13:03,882
Geologist guido giordano
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00:13:03,884 --> 00:13:06,184
Hunts for forensic evidence
to understand
224
00:13:06,186 --> 00:13:09,487
What preserves this town.
225
00:13:09,489 --> 00:13:11,723
Look at this house.
It's fantastic.
226
00:13:15,295 --> 00:13:18,429
Narrator: Encased in a rocky
cocoon of volcanic ash
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00:13:18,431 --> 00:13:24,169
For nearly 2,000 years
is the villa de papyri.
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00:13:24,171 --> 00:13:27,238
When archaeologists
unearth these rooms,
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00:13:27,240 --> 00:13:30,809
They reveal wooden roof supports
scarred black.
230
00:13:33,079 --> 00:13:37,549
Further excavation uncovers
elaborate frescoes
231
00:13:37,551 --> 00:13:42,754
Transformed from their original
yellow to a deep red.
232
00:13:42,756 --> 00:13:46,257
Both are clues of
a destructive force
233
00:13:46,259 --> 00:13:51,229
Unlike anything seen
at nearby pompeii.
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00:13:51,231 --> 00:13:56,434
How has so much survived the
apocalyptic force of a volcano?
235
00:14:00,006 --> 00:14:02,373
Guido investigates
the volcanic rock
236
00:14:02,375 --> 00:14:04,742
That covers the site.
237
00:14:04,744 --> 00:14:09,247
This cliff is about 80 feet.
238
00:14:09,249 --> 00:14:15,186
Now, this is enough
to completely bury the old town.
239
00:14:15,188 --> 00:14:17,856
Narrator: Guido believes
the different layers of deposits
240
00:14:17,858 --> 00:14:20,391
Are like a volcanic fingerprint.
241
00:14:20,393 --> 00:14:24,529
They reveal exactly what happens
on the day of the eruption.
242
00:14:24,531 --> 00:14:28,733
You can clearly see layering
and changes in color.
243
00:14:28,735 --> 00:14:31,836
The lower part is yellow.
Then it turns into grey.
244
00:14:31,838 --> 00:14:36,174
Looking closer to the texture
and structure of the deposit,
245
00:14:36,176 --> 00:14:42,180
We can work out it's actually
made by several volcanic surges.
246
00:14:44,117 --> 00:14:46,684
Narrator: For the first 12 hours
of its eruption,
247
00:14:46,686 --> 00:14:50,622
Vesuvius throws gas and debris
into the air
248
00:14:50,624 --> 00:14:55,727
Until it towers 21 miles
into the stratosphere.
249
00:14:55,729 --> 00:14:59,931
Northwesterly winds
blow it towards pompeii.
250
00:14:59,933 --> 00:15:03,701
And herculaneum to the west
is initially spared.
251
00:15:06,973 --> 00:15:10,308
During the night,
the ash tower collapses.
252
00:15:10,310 --> 00:15:14,045
A surge of ash and hot gas
barrels down the volcano,
253
00:15:14,047 --> 00:15:17,615
Blasting its way
through herculaneum.
254
00:15:17,617 --> 00:15:20,184
Five more surges
bury the town's buildings
255
00:15:20,186 --> 00:15:22,921
In thick layers of material,
256
00:15:22,923 --> 00:15:27,392
Preserving structures, objects,
and victims almost intact.
257
00:15:29,562 --> 00:15:33,197
This phenomenon is called
pyroclastic flow.
258
00:15:35,769 --> 00:15:39,570
Why doesn't it simply
burn everything in its path?
259
00:15:42,309 --> 00:15:45,510
Buongiorno.
Ciao, ciao.
260
00:15:45,512 --> 00:15:47,712
In his lab in rome,
261
00:15:47,714 --> 00:15:51,916
Guido sets up an experiment
to investigate this mystery.
262
00:15:51,918 --> 00:15:54,953
Giordano: We start with a piece
of fresh wood
263
00:15:54,955 --> 00:15:56,654
From the herculaneum area,
264
00:15:56,656 --> 00:16:00,158
Which is the same species
of the carbon
265
00:16:00,160 --> 00:16:02,126
That we find in the deposits.
266
00:16:02,128 --> 00:16:04,028
Narrator: He puts the sample
267
00:16:04,030 --> 00:16:07,632
Inside a heating device
called a calorimeter
268
00:16:07,634 --> 00:16:10,134
To discover what happens
to the exposed wood
269
00:16:10,136 --> 00:16:13,905
From herculaneum
during the eruption.
270
00:16:13,907 --> 00:16:15,373
Giordano:
Usually we think that
271
00:16:15,375 --> 00:16:20,244
Wood can burn with flame
and oxygen in a fire.
272
00:16:22,182 --> 00:16:27,452
Narrator: But a pyroclastic flow
is a cloud of toxic gas.
273
00:16:27,454 --> 00:16:32,924
There's no flame or oxygen,
so objects can't burn.
274
00:16:32,926 --> 00:16:36,094
Giordano: What we learned
is that if we heat up
275
00:16:36,096 --> 00:16:38,997
To a very high temperature
with no oxygen,
276
00:16:38,999 --> 00:16:42,433
This piece of wood,
it carbonizes.
277
00:16:42,435 --> 00:16:46,137
But it maintains its shape.
278
00:16:46,139 --> 00:16:47,605
Narrator:
But how hot does it get
279
00:16:47,607 --> 00:16:51,743
In order to carbonize
everything in its path?
280
00:16:51,745 --> 00:16:55,513
So now we will run
several of these experiments
281
00:16:55,515 --> 00:16:56,948
At different temperatures
282
00:16:56,950 --> 00:17:00,952
By increasing
50 degrees each time.
283
00:17:00,954 --> 00:17:03,087
Then they use
a spectrum microscope
284
00:17:03,089 --> 00:17:04,689
To compare the modern samples
285
00:17:04,691 --> 00:17:07,959
To the ancient ones
from herculaneum.
286
00:17:07,961 --> 00:17:09,827
This shows
the equivalent temperature
287
00:17:09,829 --> 00:17:14,699
At which the villa de papyri
wood has been carbonized.
288
00:17:14,701 --> 00:17:19,203
Giordano:
The results demonstrate
the samples of carbon
289
00:17:19,205 --> 00:17:21,806
That we found out
in herculaneum
290
00:17:21,808 --> 00:17:23,808
Were actually carbonized
291
00:17:23,810 --> 00:17:27,945
To a temperature
of nearly 500 celsius degrees,
292
00:17:27,947 --> 00:17:33,251
Which is almost
1,000 fahrenheit degrees.
293
00:17:33,253 --> 00:17:37,522
Narrator: In this fiercely hot
oxygen-free environment,
294
00:17:37,524 --> 00:17:42,827
The wooden objects and papyrus
scrolls turned to carbon.
295
00:17:42,829 --> 00:17:47,665
A thick layer of ash
then sets around the town.
296
00:17:47,667 --> 00:17:50,902
It insulates everything
in a protective layer.
297
00:17:50,904 --> 00:17:54,405
Giordano: It is thanks to these
unique set of circumstances
298
00:17:54,407 --> 00:17:59,043
That we can learn so much
about roman life
299
00:17:59,045 --> 00:18:02,113
Even after nearly 2,000 years.
300
00:18:03,483 --> 00:18:05,049
Narrator: Vesuvius preserves
301
00:18:05,051 --> 00:18:08,619
Herculaneum's
astonishing treasures.
302
00:18:08,621 --> 00:18:11,856
But what happens
to the people who live here?
303
00:18:11,858 --> 00:18:13,524
Can a gruesome discovery
304
00:18:13,526 --> 00:18:17,061
Reveal more about vesuvius'
terrifying inferno?
305
00:18:17,063 --> 00:18:21,966
♪
306
00:18:28,241 --> 00:18:32,143
♪
307
00:18:32,145 --> 00:18:34,545
Narrator: The lost roman town
of herculaneum
308
00:18:34,547 --> 00:18:38,783
Is slowly revealing its secrets.
309
00:18:38,785 --> 00:18:41,686
New discoveries help us
to understand what happens here
310
00:18:41,688 --> 00:18:44,956
When vesuvius erupts in 79 a.D.
311
00:18:46,359 --> 00:18:50,394
2,000 years ago,
a searing-hot cloud of toxic gas
312
00:18:50,396 --> 00:18:54,432
Preserves these fine buildings.
313
00:18:54,434 --> 00:18:56,033
At nearby pompeii,
314
00:18:56,035 --> 00:19:01,038
Archaeologists unearthed
more than 1,000 bodies.
315
00:19:01,040 --> 00:19:05,376
But herculaneum's victims
remain elusive.
316
00:19:05,378 --> 00:19:08,479
Until a grim find
reveals their fate.
317
00:19:11,451 --> 00:19:15,052
When archaeologists
uncover these grand arches,
318
00:19:15,054 --> 00:19:17,622
They make
a shocking discovery --
319
00:19:17,624 --> 00:19:23,060
More than 300 skeletons
frozen in time.
320
00:19:23,062 --> 00:19:27,365
Among them, women and children
huddled together,
321
00:19:27,367 --> 00:19:33,838
A woman cradling her baby,
322
00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:36,607
And a young boy
clinging to his dog.
323
00:19:38,678 --> 00:19:43,214
Today, these arches
are 1,600 feet inland.
324
00:19:43,216 --> 00:19:47,718
But when vesuvius erupts,
they are boathouses.
325
00:19:47,720 --> 00:19:50,421
What can these unfortunate
people reveal
326
00:19:50,423 --> 00:19:53,524
About the most
dramatic eruption of all time?
327
00:19:55,562 --> 00:19:58,362
Forensic anthropologist
pier paolo petrone
328
00:19:58,364 --> 00:20:01,399
Hunts for answers.
329
00:20:01,401 --> 00:20:05,636
He wants to find out why
so many people die in one place.
330
00:20:23,656 --> 00:20:28,926
At first, it looks like these
people die waiting for rescue.
331
00:20:28,928 --> 00:20:32,296
But when pier paolo studies
the position of the bodies,
332
00:20:32,298 --> 00:20:35,433
He finds that they are
all trying to take shelter.
333
00:20:50,717 --> 00:20:54,552
Why don't these people
try to escape?
334
00:20:54,554 --> 00:20:56,721
Pier paolo thinks
he knows the answer.
335
00:21:08,134 --> 00:21:12,603
Narrator:
Hours before vesuvius erupts,
336
00:21:12,605 --> 00:21:16,741
Magma pressure causes
a series of tremors.
337
00:21:16,743 --> 00:21:21,279
In herculaneum, people search
for shelter from an earthquake.
338
00:21:32,292 --> 00:21:34,725
Narrator: People in
the bay of naples see vesuvius
339
00:21:34,727 --> 00:21:38,095
Simply as a good place
to grow food.
340
00:21:38,097 --> 00:21:43,668
They use its rich soil for
growing grapes and other crops.
341
00:21:43,670 --> 00:21:46,370
But earthquakes are common
in the area.
342
00:21:46,372 --> 00:21:48,673
And in the 62 a.D. Earthquake,
343
00:21:48,675 --> 00:21:52,977
Buildings in herculaneum
and pompeii are badly damaged.
344
00:21:55,081 --> 00:21:59,917
Local people don't connect
the earthquakes to vesuvius.
345
00:21:59,919 --> 00:22:01,519
They continue their lives
346
00:22:01,521 --> 00:22:05,856
Unaware of the danger
that looms nearby.
347
00:22:05,858 --> 00:22:11,028
When vesuvius erupts in 79 a.D.,
it's sudden and shocking.
348
00:22:11,030 --> 00:22:13,831
By the time people realized
the danger they're in,
349
00:22:13,833 --> 00:22:16,600
It's too late.
350
00:22:16,602 --> 00:22:20,604
So do these people suffocate
as the ash starts to fall?
351
00:22:22,842 --> 00:22:25,109
In his forensic lab in naples,
352
00:22:25,111 --> 00:22:27,178
Pier paolo
searches the skeletons
353
00:22:27,180 --> 00:22:29,447
For the cause of death.
354
00:22:43,429 --> 00:22:47,498
Pier paolo believes the skulls
aren't broken from the outside
355
00:22:47,500 --> 00:22:49,433
But from the inside.
356
00:23:03,583 --> 00:23:06,650
Pier paolo discovers
a strange red residue
357
00:23:06,652 --> 00:23:08,619
Covering many of the bones.
358
00:23:24,470 --> 00:23:26,804
It's evidence that
the furnace-like heat
359
00:23:26,806 --> 00:23:31,542
Of a pyroclastic flow
kills these people.
360
00:23:31,544 --> 00:23:33,544
Mercifully, this gruesome death
361
00:23:33,546 --> 00:23:34,945
Happened so fast
362
00:23:34,947 --> 00:23:36,747
The victims don't know
what hits them.
363
00:23:51,998 --> 00:23:56,000
The pyroclastic flow incinerates
the herculaneum 300
364
00:23:56,002 --> 00:24:00,137
As they huddle together
by the shore.
365
00:24:00,139 --> 00:24:04,074
Who are these
unfortunate people?
366
00:24:04,076 --> 00:24:07,978
And what more can a bizarre find
on the other side of town
367
00:24:07,980 --> 00:24:10,948
Tell us about
the deadly ancient eruption?
368
00:24:10,950 --> 00:24:16,720
♪
369
00:24:22,962 --> 00:24:27,898
♪
370
00:24:27,900 --> 00:24:32,570
Narrator: 12 hours into
mount vesuvius' eruption,
371
00:24:32,572 --> 00:24:34,939
A deadly blast of hot air
and gas
372
00:24:34,941 --> 00:24:38,742
Races down the volcano's slopes.
373
00:24:38,744 --> 00:24:42,646
It strikes the luxury
seaside town of herculaneum
374
00:24:42,648 --> 00:24:45,182
Within seconds.
375
00:24:45,184 --> 00:24:47,017
At the seafront boathouses,
376
00:24:47,019 --> 00:24:52,690
300 people are incinerated
in an instant.
377
00:24:52,692 --> 00:24:56,093
But they're not the only victims
of vesuvius' wrath.
378
00:24:58,798 --> 00:25:01,665
In a building on the corner
of the main street,
379
00:25:01,667 --> 00:25:04,201
A hidden room.
380
00:25:04,203 --> 00:25:10,407
Inside, a stone plinth supports
the remains of a wooden bed.
381
00:25:10,409 --> 00:25:12,376
And in the center,
382
00:25:12,378 --> 00:25:14,512
The skeleton of a man,
383
00:25:14,514 --> 00:25:17,815
Buried where he sleeps.
384
00:25:17,817 --> 00:25:23,654
Inside his exploded skull,
a strange discovery --
385
00:25:23,656 --> 00:25:28,058
Unknown fragments
that looked like glass.
386
00:25:28,060 --> 00:25:30,561
What is this bizarre material?
387
00:25:30,563 --> 00:25:33,097
And what can this man tell us
388
00:25:33,099 --> 00:25:36,667
About the most famous
volcanic eruption in history?
389
00:25:36,669 --> 00:25:43,307
♪
390
00:25:43,309 --> 00:25:48,279
The man is locked for
2,000 years in volcanic rock.
391
00:25:48,281 --> 00:25:51,148
Forensic archaeologist
pier paolo petrone
392
00:25:51,150 --> 00:25:55,452
Is the first person
to investigate his death.
393
00:25:55,454 --> 00:25:58,255
He believes this body
can reveal new clues
394
00:25:58,257 --> 00:26:02,259
To what happens on the night
vesuvius explodes.
395
00:26:17,009 --> 00:26:20,444
The skeleton and wooden bed
are completely carbonized
396
00:26:20,446 --> 00:26:24,348
By the pyroclastic flow
that engulfs the room.
397
00:26:40,633 --> 00:26:48,138
♪
398
00:26:48,140 --> 00:26:50,007
Ciao.
Ciao.
399
00:26:50,009 --> 00:26:52,476
Pier paolo takes
the mysterious material
400
00:26:52,478 --> 00:26:53,677
Back to his lab
401
00:26:53,679 --> 00:26:58,148
At the university of naples
to investigate.
402
00:27:09,962 --> 00:27:13,230
At the boathouses,
the pyroclastic flow boils
403
00:27:13,232 --> 00:27:16,734
And vaporizes people's brains.
404
00:27:16,736 --> 00:27:19,503
But here on the opposite side
of town,
405
00:27:19,505 --> 00:27:23,607
It melts one into
a jagged glassy solid.
406
00:27:35,388 --> 00:27:37,154
Pier paolo wants to find out
407
00:27:37,156 --> 00:27:39,490
Why the conditions here
are so different
408
00:27:39,492 --> 00:27:42,259
From at the boathouses.
409
00:27:56,542 --> 00:28:00,077
When the pyroclastic flow
reaches the boathouses,
410
00:28:00,079 --> 00:28:03,213
It mixes with the sea air
and cools.
411
00:28:07,553 --> 00:28:12,690
It's still hot enough to
vaporize flesh and boil brain,
412
00:28:12,692 --> 00:28:15,092
But leaves the skeletons intact.
413
00:28:18,197 --> 00:28:20,597
But in the town's
enclosed buildings,
414
00:28:20,599 --> 00:28:23,734
The flow maintains
its intense heat,
415
00:28:23,736 --> 00:28:26,303
Turning houses into furnaces.
416
00:28:29,475 --> 00:28:32,776
This much hotter flow strips
and then carbonizes
417
00:28:32,778 --> 00:28:36,447
The victim's skeleton
within fractions of a second,
418
00:28:36,449 --> 00:28:38,348
Transforming his brain.
419
00:28:40,920 --> 00:28:44,988
This unfortunate man
dies alone in the house.
420
00:28:44,990 --> 00:28:48,692
Is he sick, unable to escape?
421
00:28:48,694 --> 00:28:53,197
Pier paolo has another theory
to explain why he stays.
422
00:29:05,411 --> 00:29:08,112
Pier paolo believes
the building's rich owners
423
00:29:08,114 --> 00:29:10,047
Might order the man to stay
424
00:29:10,049 --> 00:29:11,915
And protect this house
425
00:29:11,917 --> 00:29:14,718
Even as they flee.
426
00:29:22,595 --> 00:29:26,363
♪
427
00:29:26,365 --> 00:29:28,065
As the volcano erupts,
428
00:29:28,067 --> 00:29:32,069
The caretaker
dies asleep in his bed.
429
00:29:32,071 --> 00:29:36,673
He remains faithful to
his masters until the very end.
430
00:29:36,675 --> 00:29:40,644
Can the discovery of a statue
in herculaneum's main hall
431
00:29:40,646 --> 00:29:44,481
Reveal more dark secrets
in this doomed town?
432
00:29:44,483 --> 00:29:48,452
♪
433
00:29:54,660 --> 00:30:00,230
♪
434
00:30:00,232 --> 00:30:03,200
Narrator: 79 a.D. --
435
00:30:03,202 --> 00:30:07,704
Vesuvius erupts
with devastating fury.
436
00:30:07,706 --> 00:30:10,340
In nearby herculaneum,
437
00:30:10,342 --> 00:30:14,244
Some people are too late
to make their escape.
438
00:30:14,246 --> 00:30:19,683
Now new evidence suggests
that not everyone has a choice.
439
00:30:19,685 --> 00:30:24,621
Are some people forced
to stay behind and die?
440
00:30:24,623 --> 00:30:26,990
A clue uncovered
in the heart of the town
441
00:30:26,992 --> 00:30:29,526
Could help solve the mystery
442
00:30:29,528 --> 00:30:33,096
And points to a darker side
of life in the roman world.
443
00:30:36,501 --> 00:30:39,570
When archaeologists unearth
one of herculaneum's
444
00:30:39,572 --> 00:30:44,341
Biggest public buildings,
the basilica,
445
00:30:44,343 --> 00:30:48,645
They discover a statue
hidden in the ash.
446
00:30:48,647 --> 00:30:52,115
It is of a man named
marcus nonius balbus.
447
00:30:55,120 --> 00:30:59,523
And shattered into pieces
are marble tablets
448
00:30:59,525 --> 00:31:04,695
Listing the names of
500 inhabitants of the town.
449
00:31:04,697 --> 00:31:09,600
Many of them are also named
marcus nonius.
450
00:31:09,602 --> 00:31:12,302
Who is this mysterious man?
451
00:31:12,304 --> 00:31:15,772
Why do so many people
in herculaneum share his name?
452
00:31:20,145 --> 00:31:22,312
Archaeologist
andrew wallace hadrill
453
00:31:22,314 --> 00:31:24,915
Wants to find out
how they are connected.
454
00:31:28,120 --> 00:31:32,656
His investigation begins
in the town's main square.
455
00:31:32,658 --> 00:31:34,458
Hadrill:
So here we have this guy.
456
00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:37,361
He really is
the mr. Big of herculaneum.
457
00:31:37,363 --> 00:31:40,297
We've got his name,
marcus nonius balbus,
458
00:31:40,299 --> 00:31:42,866
And we've got
his enormous importance.
459
00:31:42,868 --> 00:31:45,535
He's been praetor in rome
and proconsul.
460
00:31:45,537 --> 00:31:47,671
That means
a provincial governor.
461
00:31:47,673 --> 00:31:51,174
Being a provincial governor
means making a lot of money.
462
00:31:51,176 --> 00:31:54,378
Narrator:
On an altar next to the statue,
463
00:31:54,380 --> 00:31:57,447
Andrew finds
a second inscription.
464
00:31:57,449 --> 00:32:00,751
This great lump of marble
is his tomb.
465
00:32:00,753 --> 00:32:03,086
And the glorious inscription
466
00:32:03,088 --> 00:32:05,756
Tells you
how generous he has been.
467
00:32:05,758 --> 00:32:08,725
He has been like a parent
to the city.
468
00:32:08,727 --> 00:32:13,463
He remade the town walls,
the town gates, the roads,
469
00:32:13,465 --> 00:32:16,433
And even built a basilica.
470
00:32:16,435 --> 00:32:18,902
Narrator: This marcus nonius
471
00:32:18,904 --> 00:32:22,873
Is the town's
most important citizen.
472
00:32:22,875 --> 00:32:24,408
But at a nearby house,
473
00:32:24,410 --> 00:32:29,579
Andrew finds the same name
on a sign hanging from the wall.
474
00:32:29,581 --> 00:32:33,383
This one belongs to
a very different kind of person.
475
00:32:33,385 --> 00:32:36,320
This sign records a dispute
between two neighbors.
476
00:32:36,322 --> 00:32:39,556
On one side, julia,
and on the other side,
477
00:32:39,558 --> 00:32:41,458
Marcus nonius dama.
478
00:32:41,460 --> 00:32:45,629
Dama almost certainly means
he comes from damascus.
479
00:32:45,631 --> 00:32:47,631
He's a syrian.
480
00:32:47,633 --> 00:32:51,034
Narrator: This new marcus nonius
is from the middle east.
481
00:32:51,036 --> 00:32:52,903
Who is he?
482
00:32:52,905 --> 00:32:56,506
And why is he here?
483
00:32:56,508 --> 00:32:59,443
As the roman empire
expands across europe,
484
00:32:59,445 --> 00:33:01,778
The middle east,
and north africa,
485
00:33:01,780 --> 00:33:06,183
Defeated people are captured
and sent back to rome as slaves.
486
00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:12,856
They are put to work
enduring hard labor.
487
00:33:12,858 --> 00:33:16,093
And many are kept in chains
day and night.
488
00:33:19,631 --> 00:33:23,400
Roman slaves are
allowed to earn money
489
00:33:23,402 --> 00:33:26,636
And over time can eventually
buy their freedom.
490
00:33:29,742 --> 00:33:31,441
To sanction their release,
491
00:33:31,443 --> 00:33:35,045
The master touches them
on the head with a staff.
492
00:33:35,047 --> 00:33:38,181
Then they take their old
master's name as their own.
493
00:33:42,454 --> 00:33:45,088
Andrew believes that
the original marcus nonius
494
00:33:45,090 --> 00:33:48,625
Is a wealthy slave owner.
495
00:33:48,627 --> 00:33:53,063
The owner of the tiny house
is his former slave.
496
00:33:53,065 --> 00:33:54,431
Hadrill: If you are wealthy
497
00:33:54,433 --> 00:33:56,800
On the level of
marcus nonius balbus,
498
00:33:56,802 --> 00:34:00,937
You have probably
hundreds of slaves.
499
00:34:00,939 --> 00:34:02,339
Narrator: Herculaneum is home to
500
00:34:02,341 --> 00:34:06,043
Some of the richest people
in the empire.
501
00:34:06,045 --> 00:34:09,379
Each family will own
many slaves.
502
00:34:09,381 --> 00:34:12,115
Hadrill: So this is a town in
which there is an enormous gap
503
00:34:12,117 --> 00:34:14,518
Between free people and slaves.
504
00:34:14,520 --> 00:34:17,921
Here's an inscription
where the local magistrates say
505
00:34:17,923 --> 00:34:21,725
Don't dump rubbish here
by the town water supply.
506
00:34:21,727 --> 00:34:25,062
And they say if you're
a free man, you'll be fined.
507
00:34:25,064 --> 00:34:28,799
If you're a slave,
you'll be flogged.
508
00:34:28,801 --> 00:34:30,200
Narrator: Slaves are not allowed
509
00:34:30,202 --> 00:34:33,670
To leave town
without permission.
510
00:34:33,672 --> 00:34:38,241
But when vesuvius erupts,
are they forced to stay?
511
00:34:39,878 --> 00:34:42,012
Andrew investigates
the possessions
512
00:34:42,014 --> 00:34:46,149
Found with the 300 bodies
discovered in the boathouses.
513
00:34:46,151 --> 00:34:49,352
Many of them had
precious things with them
514
00:34:49,354 --> 00:34:51,154
Because that's what happens
in a disaster.
515
00:34:51,156 --> 00:34:54,658
You grab your valuables and run.
516
00:34:54,660 --> 00:34:57,160
Narrator:
Archaeologists find golden coins
517
00:34:57,162 --> 00:35:00,163
And jewelry on some of the dead.
518
00:35:00,165 --> 00:35:01,264
Evidence that they are
519
00:35:01,266 --> 00:35:04,835
Herculaneum's
wealthier citizens.
520
00:35:04,837 --> 00:35:09,039
But some of them
have no possessions at all.
521
00:35:09,041 --> 00:35:11,975
They are the town's
poorest people.
522
00:35:11,977 --> 00:35:15,579
Hadrill: Not everyone is
the same among these skeletons.
523
00:35:15,581 --> 00:35:17,747
There are some
really rich people,
524
00:35:17,749 --> 00:35:20,016
There are some very poor people.
525
00:35:20,018 --> 00:35:23,186
They've got real valuables
or they've got nothing.
526
00:35:26,158 --> 00:35:28,825
Narrator: Andrew believes
if the victims have nothing,
527
00:35:28,827 --> 00:35:30,427
They are slaves.
528
00:35:32,564 --> 00:35:33,964
Hadrill:
In the moment of disaster,
529
00:35:33,966 --> 00:35:36,166
Everyone thinks
"how do we save ourselves?"
530
00:35:36,168 --> 00:35:39,269
They think there's a safe place
down by the shore.
531
00:35:39,271 --> 00:35:41,371
And they all go down together.
532
00:35:41,373 --> 00:35:44,407
Rich and poor,
free and slave, young and old,
533
00:35:44,409 --> 00:35:46,343
All go down together.
534
00:35:49,014 --> 00:35:51,148
Narrator:
Vesuvius' eruption preserves
535
00:35:51,150 --> 00:35:54,751
A remarkable and tragic story.
536
00:35:54,753 --> 00:35:57,087
As it reaches its climax,
537
00:35:57,089 --> 00:36:00,957
Slaves and masters
cower together.
538
00:36:00,959 --> 00:36:02,692
They end up in the boathouses,
539
00:36:02,694 --> 00:36:06,096
Praying to the gods
for deliverance.
540
00:36:06,098 --> 00:36:11,334
But what happens to the rest
of the town's 4,000 people?
541
00:36:11,336 --> 00:36:15,338
Do their bodies still lie
entombed in the rock?
542
00:36:15,340 --> 00:36:19,276
Can their fate change the way
we see this terrible disaster?
543
00:36:19,278 --> 00:36:24,047
♪
544
00:36:30,489 --> 00:36:34,457
♪
545
00:36:34,459 --> 00:36:36,059
Narrator: In 79 a.D.,
546
00:36:36,061 --> 00:36:38,995
The most famous
volcanic eruption in history
547
00:36:38,997 --> 00:36:40,964
Destroys pompeii,
548
00:36:40,966 --> 00:36:45,569
Along with herculaneum,
its sister town.
549
00:36:45,571 --> 00:36:47,637
It carbonizes 300 people
550
00:36:47,639 --> 00:36:51,241
Hiding in boathouses
by the shore.
551
00:36:51,243 --> 00:36:55,912
But this town is home
to over 4,000 inhabitants.
552
00:36:55,914 --> 00:36:58,848
What happens to everyone else?
553
00:36:58,850 --> 00:37:01,618
Historian stephen tuck
554
00:37:01,620 --> 00:37:04,821
Is determined
to find the answer.
555
00:37:04,823 --> 00:37:07,490
Tuck: Nobody knows the fate
of the people from herculaneum.
556
00:37:07,492 --> 00:37:09,492
Of the city
that originally existed,
557
00:37:09,494 --> 00:37:12,495
Only 25% has been excavated.
558
00:37:12,497 --> 00:37:14,564
The remaining part could be full
559
00:37:14,566 --> 00:37:19,069
Of the remains
of victims of the eruption.
560
00:37:19,071 --> 00:37:21,071
Narrator: Despite this,
stephen thinks
561
00:37:21,073 --> 00:37:26,943
That the bodies in herculaneum's
boathouses are the unlucky few.
562
00:37:26,945 --> 00:37:29,813
He suspects the majority
of the population flees
563
00:37:29,815 --> 00:37:34,618
Before the pyroclastic flow
engulfs the town.
564
00:37:34,620 --> 00:37:36,186
Many people think their bodies
565
00:37:36,188 --> 00:37:39,856
Are outside the city walls
that have never been excavated.
566
00:37:39,858 --> 00:37:43,827
Roads or the seaside
where they fled and perished.
567
00:37:43,829 --> 00:37:46,963
But I think we find
so few bodies at herculaneum
568
00:37:46,965 --> 00:37:50,200
Because people survived.
569
00:37:50,202 --> 00:37:52,002
Narrator: Eight miles
from herculaneum,
570
00:37:52,004 --> 00:37:55,872
Naples is a big
and flourishing city,
571
00:37:55,874 --> 00:37:57,907
Where stephen thinks
he can find evidence
572
00:37:57,909 --> 00:38:01,144
To support his theory.
573
00:38:01,146 --> 00:38:03,413
Tuck: One of the ways we can
find out if people survived
574
00:38:03,415 --> 00:38:05,048
Is to look for inscriptions
575
00:38:05,050 --> 00:38:09,019
Carved on homes, tombs,
public buildings.
576
00:38:09,021 --> 00:38:10,620
Narrator:
The romans carved their names
577
00:38:10,622 --> 00:38:13,089
All over their buildings.
578
00:38:13,091 --> 00:38:16,059
These inscriptions are
crucial clues.
579
00:38:16,061 --> 00:38:18,962
Tuck: In roman times,
many names are unique
580
00:38:18,964 --> 00:38:21,531
To particular communities
or local areas.
581
00:38:21,533 --> 00:38:24,034
So if we find a name
at herculaneum
582
00:38:24,036 --> 00:38:27,871
And we find the same name again
later on in another community,
583
00:38:27,873 --> 00:38:30,573
That must mean
somebody has moved
584
00:38:30,575 --> 00:38:33,510
And that we have a survivor.
585
00:38:33,512 --> 00:38:37,280
Narrator: Stephen does some
ancient detective work.
586
00:38:37,282 --> 00:38:40,150
He tries to match names
from the herculaneum tablets
587
00:38:40,152 --> 00:38:42,085
With inscriptions elsewhere.
588
00:38:44,089 --> 00:38:46,523
He soon finds a survivor.
589
00:38:46,525 --> 00:38:47,991
Tuck: One of the best examples
590
00:38:47,993 --> 00:38:51,428
Is this man here,
caninius botrio,
591
00:38:51,430 --> 00:38:53,196
Who's on the census
for herculaneum
592
00:38:53,198 --> 00:38:55,065
In the last years of the city,
593
00:38:55,067 --> 00:38:59,669
And here he is again
in an inscription at naples.
594
00:38:59,671 --> 00:39:03,807
I think there's no doubt
that this is the same man.
595
00:39:03,809 --> 00:39:05,375
Narrator:
But herculaneum is a town
596
00:39:05,377 --> 00:39:09,012
Inhabited by over 4,000 people.
597
00:39:09,014 --> 00:39:12,215
Are there any other survivors?
598
00:39:12,217 --> 00:39:13,950
Tuck: This is a record
of a marble tablet
599
00:39:13,952 --> 00:39:17,387
That was found in naples
in 1535.
600
00:39:17,389 --> 00:39:19,889
And what it records
is a district in the city
601
00:39:19,891 --> 00:39:21,224
That we didn't
know about before
602
00:39:21,226 --> 00:39:25,962
Called the most splendid regent
on the herculaneans.
603
00:39:25,964 --> 00:39:28,365
So it must indicate
that there's a large number
604
00:39:28,367 --> 00:39:30,066
Of herculanean survivors
605
00:39:30,068 --> 00:39:32,669
Who relocate to naples
after the eruption.
606
00:39:35,440 --> 00:39:37,874
Narrator:
The horrific natural disaster
607
00:39:37,876 --> 00:39:41,411
Creates thousands of refugees.
608
00:39:41,413 --> 00:39:45,648
Stephen thinks many of them flee
to a small town called cumae
609
00:39:45,650 --> 00:39:49,619
20 miles to the west
of herculaneum.
610
00:39:49,621 --> 00:39:52,021
Tuck: Before the eruption
of vesuvius in a.D. 79,
611
00:39:52,023 --> 00:39:55,191
Cumae is described as
vacant and quiet.
612
00:39:55,193 --> 00:39:58,962
And it seems to have been
a dying or dead small town.
613
00:39:58,964 --> 00:40:02,399
But then suddenly,
just after 81 a.D.,
614
00:40:02,401 --> 00:40:05,168
There's all this
new construction here.
615
00:40:05,170 --> 00:40:06,469
Narrator: The emperor titus
616
00:40:06,471 --> 00:40:10,807
Launches an ambitious
building program here.
617
00:40:10,809 --> 00:40:13,843
Tuck: A new forum, roads,
aqueducts,
618
00:40:13,845 --> 00:40:15,945
Amphitheater, temples,
and so on.
619
00:40:15,947 --> 00:40:18,047
There must be some reason
for him
620
00:40:18,049 --> 00:40:20,750
To have built
all of these buildings here.
621
00:40:20,752 --> 00:40:22,585
I think the answer must be
622
00:40:22,587 --> 00:40:24,754
For a new population
that has moved in.
623
00:40:26,858 --> 00:40:29,125
Narrator: The true fate
of herculaneum's people
624
00:40:29,127 --> 00:40:32,929
Lies in the towns
across the bay of naples.
625
00:40:32,931 --> 00:40:35,231
Tuck:
When vesuvius erupts in a.D. 79
626
00:40:35,233 --> 00:40:38,535
And destroys pompeii
and herculaneum,
627
00:40:38,537 --> 00:40:40,470
We know this story.
628
00:40:40,472 --> 00:40:42,205
But there's another story
after that,
629
00:40:42,207 --> 00:40:45,442
And it's the story of the people
that got out, the survivors,
630
00:40:45,444 --> 00:40:48,244
Because we have evidence now
for the first time
631
00:40:48,246 --> 00:40:49,512
That strongly suggests
632
00:40:49,514 --> 00:40:52,615
That a great number of people
made it out alive.
633
00:40:54,886 --> 00:40:57,954
Narrator: This perfectly
preserved town is transforming
634
00:40:57,956 --> 00:41:00,590
How we see life
in the roman empire
635
00:41:00,592 --> 00:41:05,929
And the most famous
volcanic eruption in history.
636
00:41:05,931 --> 00:41:08,765
The devastating fury
of mount vesuvius
637
00:41:08,767 --> 00:41:12,836
Engulfs the town of herculaneum.
638
00:41:12,838 --> 00:41:15,738
But the volcano's
hot pyroclastic flow
639
00:41:15,740 --> 00:41:19,008
Also freezes it in time.
640
00:41:19,010 --> 00:41:22,178
This remarkable eruption
preserves roman life
641
00:41:22,180 --> 00:41:24,881
From 2,000 years ago.
642
00:41:24,883 --> 00:41:31,054
Charred papyrus scrolls reveal
how its citizens lived and died.
643
00:41:31,056 --> 00:41:33,389
The 300 victims
in the boathouses
644
00:41:33,391 --> 00:41:36,993
Reveal the horror
of that terrible day.
645
00:41:36,995 --> 00:41:39,462
As panic grips the town,
646
00:41:39,464 --> 00:41:43,166
They make the wrong choice
to stay
647
00:41:43,168 --> 00:41:47,904
And suffer the brutal power
of mount vesuvius.
648
00:41:47,906 --> 00:41:52,475
But many escape
to build new lives,
649
00:41:52,477 --> 00:41:55,044
A phoenix rising from the ashes
650
00:41:55,046 --> 00:41:58,848
Of the most famous eruption
of all time.
651
00:41:58,850 --> 00:42:08,858
♪
652
00:42:08,860 --> 00:42:18,835
♪
653
00:42:18,837 --> 00:42:28,778
♪
57961
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