Victims of Vesuvius

Click on each stereoview for a close up.

BODY CASTS IN POMPEII MUSEUM

On August 24, 79 A.D., Mt Vesusius, near present day Naples, erupted burying the town of Pompeii in ash and lava.   One of the most fascinating aspects of the excavations of the ruins of Pompeii are the cavities found in the hardened ash that were left as the tissues of those trapped in its smothering blanket decayed..  When these cavities are filled with plaster a very life like cast of one of the volcano's victims in the exact aspect in which he died is revealed.  This is an Underwood and Underwood stereoview, copyright 1897,entitled , "Victims of the Great Disaster on August 24, A.D. 79, in Pompeii Italy."

"ACTUAL PERSONS ENCASED IN LAVA"

This is a very old stereoview by Sommer & Behles of Naples, dated February 5, 1863, entitled  in ink on the back of the mount, "Actual persons encased in Lava at the eruption in 79 Pompeii."  Well, not exactly.  These are more plaster casts of the eruption's victims being viewed by a foreign visitor and a guide.

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