The “plaster casting” technique was created to capture

The “plaster casting” technique was created to capture

the final moments of those who perished in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. When the volcano erupted, it buried the Roman city of Pompeii under layers of ash and pumice. Many people were trapped and buried under several meters of volcanic material. Over time, their bodies decomposed, leaving empty spaces in the hardened ash. In the 1800s, archaeologists discovered that by pouring liquid plaster into these spaces, they could create detailed molds of the victims. Once the plaster set, they carefully removed the surrounding ash to reveal the exact positions of the people at the time of their deaths. These casts often show individuals curled up or shielding their faces, preserving the tragic final moments of the eruption. This method allowed archaeologists to gain a deeper, more personal understanding of the disaster and helped keep the memory of those who lived in ancient Pompeii alive.

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