During routine methane pipeline maintenance south of Naples, Italy, workers stumbled upon a treasure trove of archaeological finds spanning millennia. The excavation, near Pompeii, revealed artifacts from the Bronze Age (3500-1200 BCE) to Late Antiquity (250-750 CE), according to the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Salerno and Avellino. The discoveries include potential evidence of humans and animals fleeing a Mount Vesuvius eruption over a thousand years prior to the catastrophic event that buried Pompeii.
A Glimpse into Vesuvius’s Ancient Fury
Mount Vesuvius’s infamous eruption in 79 CE buried Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserving the cities and their inhabitants in a tragic time capsule. The volcano remains active, with major eruptions occurring every few centuries. However, the recent pipeline excavation unveiled evidence of an even earlier eruption.
Archaeologists discovered Bronze Age human and animal footprints preserved in volcanic debris (pyroclastic deposits) from Vesuvius. These footprints offer a haunting glimpse into the panicked flight of those attempting to escape the volcano’s wrath. It’s important to note that the timing of these footprints relative to the eruption remains uncertain, as the deposits could have solidified over time.
Preserved footprints hint at a desperate escape from Vesuvius. © Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Salerno and Avellino via Facebook.
The Avellino Eruption: A Precursor to Pompeii’s Fate
These footprints may be linked to the Avellino pumice eruption, which scientists believe surpassed the 79 CE eruption in intensity. Occurring approximately 3,780 years ago, the Avellino eruption unleashed a devastating wave of pumice fallout and pyroclastic surges, burying the surrounding landscape and villages within a 15.5-mile (25-kilometer) radius. This event served as a chilling foreshadowing of the destruction that would befall Pompeii centuries later.
Life After the Eruption: Signs of Resilience and Adaptation
Despite the destructive power of Vesuvius, life returned to the region. Archaeologists discovered evidence of semicircular huts from the Bronze-Iron Age transition (1200-900 BCE), along with a religious sanctuary from the third or second century BCE, complete with votive offerings.
Later finds from the Roman era reveal evidence of agricultural activity, including plow furrows and the remnants of rural villas. Researchers also reconstructed over 40 roads around the ancient city of Nuceria Alfaterna, some still bearing the tracks of ancient wagon wheels.
From Bronze Age Huts to Roman Villas: A Tapestry of History
Archaeological evidence reveals the evolution of housing structures over time. © Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Provinces of Salerno and Avellino via Facebook.
The excavations also unearthed a mix of Christian and pagan burials, including child graves from the Roman to Late Antiquity transition, a monumental tomb with a sarcophagus, and sepulchers within a Roman villa. These diverse burial practices highlight the complex religious landscape of the era and the repurposing of existing structures.
A Return to the Past: Longhouses in Late Antiquity
Among the latest discoveries are remnants of “longhouse” style dwellings from Late Antiquity. These long, narrow huts, reminiscent of those built during European protohistory, suggest a reversion to earlier building styles, possibly due to socio-economic shifts. This adaptation reflects the resilience of communities in the face of changing circumstances.
A Reminder of Italy’s Rich Archaeological Heritage
This unexpected archaeological discovery during pipeline maintenance serves as a powerful reminder of Italy’s rich historical tapestry. It underscores the challenges of modern infrastructure development in a land layered with millennia of human history.
