‘A Day in Pompeii’ - Last Days

It is the body casts that draw many people to see the ‘A Day in Pompeii’ exhibition at the Melbourne Museum (26 June to 25 October 2009). Whilst the body casts are fascinating, they are only one component of a remarkable exhibition exploring the advanced life of Romans living in Pompeii during 79AD.


Above: Current Pompeii ruins, Italy
Source: http://museumvictoria.com.au

A common belief is that the damage and destruction inflicted on Pompeii by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 24 August 79 AD was largely due to torrents of lava overcoming the town. After visiting Pompeii (near Naples, Italy) in 2006, I soon realised that it was the violent eruption of Vesuvius’s ash and pumice that engulfed the town. The layers of ash and pumice debris are the reason why Pompeii was so well preserved, like a time capsule, until 1748 when excavations began.

Whilst a visit to Pompeii town is worthwhile, this exhibition provides a holistic experience, portraying everyday life of this prosperous, peaceful community of 12,000
people.

The Roman’s advanced living standards are explored through artefacts which highlight their daily activities, such as business, food and dining, entertaining, religion, medicine, fashion and bathing. Although excavated buildings in Pompeii town provide an understanding of the town layout and scale, the artefacts included in this exhibition provide insight into the heart of sole of this Roman community.


Above: Scales for performing daily business transactions.
Source: http://museumvictoria.com.au


Above: Fresco from the House of the Golden Bracelet
Source: http://museumvictoria.com.au


Above: Exquisite gold earrings
Source: http://museumvictoria.com.au

In one of the final rooms of the exhibition, the body casts are tastefully presented on a simple revolving platform. In the dimly lit room, spotlights cast soft golden light on each of these intriguing forms, one by one. Each cast has a sign, describing where the person or animal was found and what they were doing at the time of the eruption.


Above: Cast of man crouching
Source: William Starling, Alabama, USA

Price: Adult $20, Concessions $14, Child $12, Family $54

Tips: ‘A Day in Pompeii’ is a timed entry exhibition, with each group going through every half hour. Arrive early to avoid crowds and missing out.

More info: For detailed description of each part of exhibition visit Melbourne Museum website:
http://museumvictoria.com.au/melbournemuseum/discoverycentre/pompeii/about-the-exhibition/