The Ancient City of Ercolano

The city of Ercolano is a lesser known victim to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. This ancient town was located near the beach, functionally a resort town for people of means, but well within the path of destruction of the famous volcano. Unlike its more popular sister victim, Pompeii, Ercolano was completely covered in lava flow and buried for ages, effectively protecting it from the outside world. It would take more labor, more money, and more time to eventually excavate the forgotten site.

Italy finally had the time and money to start a full scale excavation under the reign of Benito Mussolini, with the effort overseen by Amedeo Maiuri. The archaeological site would be one of many that was used to demonstrate the power of fascism, attempting to persuade the world of what could be accomplished by such an ideology.