Early Discoveries and Changing Methodologies in Pompeii and Herculaneum

Vocabulary flashcards covering the history of early discoveries, evolving archaeological methodologies, and key archaeologists at Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Methodology

The methods and techniques used to investigate the past.

Rediscovery of Pompeii

The rediscovery of the town in the 1590s by workers digging a canal, followed by its positive identification in 1689 through an inscription.

Discovery of Herculaneum

The accidental discovery of the buried town that occurred when a prince ordered a well to be dug, which uncovered an ancient theatre.

Early Excavations and Looting

Treasure-seeking digs where valuable artefacts were looted and removed, resulting in the loss of critical archaeological information before authorities introduced measures to discourage theft.

Francesco Vega

An early excavator who improved excavation methodology by focusing on one area at a time and maintaining architectural drawings and detailed records.

Excavations Under French Rule (1805–1815)

Large-scale excavations involving approximately 1,500 workers that produced and published detailed records of their discoveries.

Post-Napoleonic Excavation Bias

A practice where excavations prioritized impressive structures like villas to attract tourists, giving greater attention to attractive discoveries over everyday buildings and objects.

Giuseppe Fiorelli

An archaeologist active from 1860 to 1875 who introduced systematic top-down excavation, divided Pompeii into 9 regions and blocks, kept detailed excavation logs, and invented the plaster cast technique.

Fiorelli's Plaster Casts

A technique of pouring liquid plaster into cavities left by decomposed bodies in hardened volcanic ash, preserving and revealing the detailed shapes of human and animal victims before their death

August Mau

An archaeologist who in 1882 used Fiorelli's excavations and Vitruvius' writings to establish a classification system defining four styles of Roman wall paintings.

Vittorio Spinazzola (spinozollo)

An archaeologist active from 1910 to 1923 who excavated the Street of Abundance, uncovering building facades and upper floors to reveal ancient shops, workshops, and everyday life.