The overtime history of Pompeii's and Herculaneum's excavations and more
![Picture](/uploads/4/9/1/5/49158797/1395015.jpg?392)
Before Eruption
c700BC
First traces of a settlement in Pompeii
420BC
Samnites – a people from south-central Italy who spoke Oscan – invade the area
38BC
Pompeii becomes an ally of Rome
c300BC
When traces of a settlement in Herculaneum
89BC
Pompeii and Herculaneum besieged and captured by Roman armies. Latin replaces Oscan as official language of the cities
43-31BC
Civil wars follow assassination of Caesar
31BC
Battle of Actium. Augustus defeats Antony and Cleopatra and becomes sole ruler of the Empire
AD14
Death of the Emperor Augustus
AD62/63
Earthquake causes major damage to Pompeii and Herculaneum
AD79
Eruption of Vesuvius (traditional date given is August 24, though there is good evidence it was later in the autumn)
After Eruption
AD203-1944
Vesuvius continues to erupt at intervals and with varying degrees of severity
AD1709-10
The theatre in Herculaneum is discovered during work to sink a well-shaft. Many statues are removed, and dispersed across Europe
AD1738
The King of Naples orders Herculaneum to be excavated by tunnelling
AD1748
The first formal excavations of Pompeii
AD1750
Excavation starts of the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum – statues and a library of carbonised scrolls discovered
AD1763
Discovery of an inscription firmly identifies the ruins as the ancient town of Pompeii
AD1780
Excavations at Herculaneum are suspended in favour of work at Pompeii
AD1816-77
Periods of excavation at both sites
AD1860
Unification of Italy. Pompeii becomes a showpiece of the new kingdom
AD1875
Excavation of Herculaneum is abandoned in the face of opposition from landowners
AD1924-1961
Major excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, overseen by Amedeo Maiuri
AD1944
Last eruption of Vesuvius
AD1980
A major earthquake causes enormous damage to the ruins of Pompeii. Many parts of the town have been closed to the public since this date
AD1981-98
Excavations on the beach in front of Herculaneum (around 300 bodies discovered) and in the Villa of the Papyri
AD1997
A Special Law gives the Soprintendenza Archeologica of Naples and Pompeii financial autonomy. All money taken at the gates in Pompeii now goes toward conservation and providing facilities for tourists
Sources in biography.
c700BC
First traces of a settlement in Pompeii
420BC
Samnites – a people from south-central Italy who spoke Oscan – invade the area
38BC
Pompeii becomes an ally of Rome
c300BC
When traces of a settlement in Herculaneum
89BC
Pompeii and Herculaneum besieged and captured by Roman armies. Latin replaces Oscan as official language of the cities
43-31BC
Civil wars follow assassination of Caesar
31BC
Battle of Actium. Augustus defeats Antony and Cleopatra and becomes sole ruler of the Empire
AD14
Death of the Emperor Augustus
AD62/63
Earthquake causes major damage to Pompeii and Herculaneum
AD79
Eruption of Vesuvius (traditional date given is August 24, though there is good evidence it was later in the autumn)
After Eruption
AD203-1944
Vesuvius continues to erupt at intervals and with varying degrees of severity
AD1709-10
The theatre in Herculaneum is discovered during work to sink a well-shaft. Many statues are removed, and dispersed across Europe
AD1738
The King of Naples orders Herculaneum to be excavated by tunnelling
AD1748
The first formal excavations of Pompeii
AD1750
Excavation starts of the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum – statues and a library of carbonised scrolls discovered
AD1763
Discovery of an inscription firmly identifies the ruins as the ancient town of Pompeii
AD1780
Excavations at Herculaneum are suspended in favour of work at Pompeii
AD1816-77
Periods of excavation at both sites
AD1860
Unification of Italy. Pompeii becomes a showpiece of the new kingdom
AD1875
Excavation of Herculaneum is abandoned in the face of opposition from landowners
AD1924-1961
Major excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum, overseen by Amedeo Maiuri
AD1944
Last eruption of Vesuvius
AD1980
A major earthquake causes enormous damage to the ruins of Pompeii. Many parts of the town have been closed to the public since this date
AD1981-98
Excavations on the beach in front of Herculaneum (around 300 bodies discovered) and in the Villa of the Papyri
AD1997
A Special Law gives the Soprintendenza Archeologica of Naples and Pompeii financial autonomy. All money taken at the gates in Pompeii now goes toward conservation and providing facilities for tourists
Sources in biography.