An important current field of research concerns structures
that were being restored at the time of the eruption (presumably damaged during
the earthquake of 62). Some of the older, damaged, paintings could have been
covered with newer ones, and modern instruments are being used to catch a
glimpse of the long hidden frescoes. The probable reason why these structures
were still being repaired 10 years after the earthquake was the increasing
frequency of smaller quakes that led up to the eruption.
Most of the archeological digs at the site only extend down to the street
level of the 79 volcanic event. Deeper digs in older part of Pompeii and core
samples of nearby drillings have exposed layers of jumbled sediment
that suggest that other events hit the city before the famed volcano.
Three sheets of sediment have been found atop the lava bedrock that lies
below the city. Mixed in with the sediment, archeologists have found bits of
animal bone, pottery
shards and bits of plants. Using carbon
dating, the oldest layer has been placed as 8th century BCE, about the time
that the city was founded. The other two layers are separated from the other
layers by well developed soil layers or Roman pavement and were laid down in
4th century BCE and 2nd century BCE. The theory behind the layers of jumbled
sediment is large landslides, perhaps triggered by extended rainfall.
(Senatore, et al., 2004)
During early excavations of the site, occasional voids in the ash layer were
found that contained human remains. Someone had the idea of filling the empty
spaces with plaster. What resulted were highly accurate and eerie forms of the
doomed Pompeiani who failed to escape, in their last moment of life (see
http://www.marketplace.it/pompeiruins/orto.htm,
http://www.marketplace.it/pompeiruins/orto2.htm,
http://www.marketplace.it/pompeiruins/orto3.htm).
For some of them the expression of terror is quite clearly visible.
FROM: http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Pompeii