Extraordinary Discoveries in Pompeii: Archaeologists Re-evaluate the Date of Vesuvius's Eruption
Ongoing archaeological and historical work in Pompeii is once again fueling the debate about the exact date of Mount Vesuvius's eruption. Although historical sources, particularly the writings of Pliny the Younger, unequivocally pointed to August 24, 79 CE, many researchers have questioned this date for decades, suggesting autumn as a more probable time. However, archaeologists are now increasingly leaning back towards Pliny's original account.
The Truth About the Date of Vesuvius's Eruption
Pliny the Younger, a Roman author, meticulously described the eruption in two letters, witnessing it firsthand while staying at his uncle, Pliny the Elder's, home. The date of August 24, 79 CE, was widely accepted until the late 18th century, when it began to be challenged, with October 24 being proposed as an alternative date. Theories about an autumn eruption gained traction, especially after the discovery in 2018 of an inscription on the walls of Pompeii dated October 17, 79 CE. The historian Cassius Dio also mentioned an autumn eruption, though it's worth noting that the calendar autumn in ancient Rome began as early as August 8.
Modern Analysis Confirms Pliny's Version
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, emphasizes that "there is no documented evidence" supporting later dates for the Vesuvius eruption. He explains that hypotheses about other dates were based on errors and misunderstandings. Modern philology in the second half of the 20th century clearly established that the oldest manuscripts indicate August 24 as the correct date. "There are no alternatives, so you either confirm Pliny, or you simply have to assume that he made a mistake," Zuchtriegel explains.
Archaeologists have also analyzed climate changes and agricultural practices in the region. The park director confirmed that ancient plants and fruits found, which currently ripen in the autumn, might have appeared earlier at that time. "People assumed that nature and climate were always more or less the same, but today we are very aware that this is not the case," Zuchtriegel adds. An example is a type of chestnut tree that still ripens in August today, meaning that finding a chestnut in ancient Pompeii doesn't necessarily undermine Pliny's account.
The continuous and extensive archaeological research in Pompeii not only helps uncover historical truth but also provides valuable information about climate change, biodiversity, and conservation techniques in the ancient world.
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