Ercolano: MRA-ITA-Erc001

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Geographic Location

Historical note about the site/monument: Herculaneum became a Roman municipium in 89 BCE, but all life in the city came to a halt with the infamous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. In the wake of the eruption the city was buried in a deep and compact mass of tufaceous matter; Herculaneum was effectively frozen in time. These dense layers of volcanic debris enabled the preservation of an array of otherwise fragile archaeological materials. Nor did the eruption obliterate en masse the decorative artwork gracing the homes of Herculaneum (see, for instance, the mosaics of the house of Neptune and Amphitrite). Also preserved are several mural paintings and houses with ornamental colored stone cladding. Excavations of the site began after its discovery in the 18^th century and continue to the present day.

Further reading:
De Carolis, E. & Patricelli, G. (2003). Vesuvius, A.D. 79: The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum. ISBN-10: 0892367199.
Pirozzi, M.E.A. (2000). Herculaneum: The Excavations, Local History and Surroundings. Naples, Italy: Electa.

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