The lost world of Pompeii

"On August 24, A.D. 79, the prosperous Roman city of Pompeii in central Italy was the victim of one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history. The nearby volcano Vesuvius awoke suddenly and erupted, showering the city and nearby town of Herculaneum in dense hot ash and rock, killing 20,000 people. Pompeii was completely buried and lay almost undisturbed for centuries.". "When archaeologists began excavations of Pompeii in 1748, they discovered astonishing evidence of a wealthy, vibrant metropolis, preserved as if frozen in time. Centuries after it had been hastily abandoned, the city slowly reemerged, with elegant villas, rooms adorned with exquisite wall paintings, shops and public buildings, all left intact with a treasury of statuary, artifacts and household items.". "Richly illustrated with historical images and new images of the site by acclaimed photographer Chris Caldicott, The Lost World of Pompeii tells the fascinating story of the ghosts of a bygone era raised from the ashes."--BOOK JACKET.