A recent study published in the E-Journal degli Scavi di Pompei brings attention to the date of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. Although in recent years it has been hypothesized that the eruption occurred in autumn, casting doubt on the 24th of August indicated by Pliny the Younger, the researchers conclude that there is not enough evidence to exclude the traditional date reported in the oldest manuscripts.
The study combines an experimental archaeology project on the durability of charcoal inscriptions with an update of archaeobotanical and literary analyses. “We cannot at the moment exclude that the eruption occurred on August 24, as Pliny wrote”, says Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii excavations and co-author of the study.
According to the authors, the literary tradition may have been underestimated, while the agricultural and climatic cycles of antiquity may have been overestimated. “The climate has changed in the past too, albeit at a slower pace, and Pompeii offers a unique opportunity to study an ecosystem influenced by human presence as early as 2000 years ago”, adds Zuchtriegel.
Climate and Agriculture in the Ancient World
The Mediterranean, today considered a “hot spot” of climate change, also represents a laboratory for investigating past climatic and agricultural transformations. The study highlights how climate and agricultural practices varied from region to region and over time. “The biodiversity and variety of local crops and traditions far exceed the schematic picture offered by ancient authors. This suggests greater complexity and adaptability than is often thought”, explains Zuchtriegel.
The authors of the study emphasize that their research does not intend to close the debate, but rather to open new perspectives. “Ours is not intended to be a definitive conclusion, but a contribution to fuel the discussion and stimulate further studies”, concludes the director of the excavations. The debate on the date of the eruption of Vesuvio and its climatic and agricultural implications remains open, offering a field of study rich in questions and ideas for the future.
Article published on 12 December 2024 - 11:51
The article talks about the date of the eruption of Vesuvius but I don't understand why there is so much discussion about this. Pliny wrote that it was August 24, so why change it? I'm not sure if that makes sense.
I think it is interesting to see how the authors are studying ancient agricultural practices. But I wonder if new technologies really help us understand better or if they confuse more.