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“A Day in of Pompeii” at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Win two tickets to “A Day in of Pompeii” at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Easy Entry!

1. Like Catch Carri on FaceBook

2. Email carri@firsttakefeatures.com and tell her your favorite era of history. (Emails kept private and are used so we can notify the winners)

It was more than 2,000 years ago when Mount Vesuvius erupted, spewing up to 18 feet of lava and ash covering the once vibrant city of Pompeii along the Western Coast of Italy. In less than 24 hours, what was once a bustling city alive with families and commerce was hidden from any sign that nearly 20,000 people once lived in the city. Years later, some even doubted Pompeii’s existence. That is until excavation began nearly 700 years after, astonishing many with how well the city was preserved.

This diagram shows how much ash piled up in the city over time.

This diagram shows how much ash piled up in the city over time.

Catch a glimpse of “A Day in of Pompeii” at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and you will realize that life then wasn’t far off from life today. Two story townhouses were lavishly decorated, some even with running water and hot tubs. In the homes of the wealthy, serene gardens were common along with open atriums to capture rainwater for use around the house. Pompeian’s even had their own version of a fast food restaurant where fruits and bread could be grabbed on the go. Cheers filled stadiums as athletic competitions were off to a start. Commerce thrived with civilian run businesses like taverns, laundromats and bakeries.

Hundreds of artifacts are showcased at the traveling exhibit, which is headed back to Italy after its Denver tour.  Take a look at the lavish gold jewelry and make up women wore, the dice children played with, the statues of Gods people worshiped as well as the coins they used to buy food and other goods. Even more haunting, are the replicas of body casts of people that were buried alive– one man covers his mouth with a handkerchief, a man and woman hold each other, a chained dog lays on the ground unable to escape.

The largest display is the most unnerving: a collection of body casts. The figures are molds that were made by pouring plaster into impressions left in the hardened lava.

The largest display is the most unnerving: a collection of body casts. The figures are molds that were made by pouring plaster into impressions left in the hardened lava.

Take the time to watch the short films in the exhibit that illustrate Pompeian life even deeper. One film takes you through a powerful simulation of the volcano’s eruption. As you watch, it’s easy to think as the ground shook uncontrollably you wouldn’t think twice before uprooting from your home. Yet, so many kept their feet grounded for as long as they could to protect their livelihood. Which poses the question: Would you have escaped, or stayed and hoped for the best?

Images from “A Day in Pompeii”

Murals like this were commonly found in gardens
Artifacts like this were used as decor in gardens
Pompeian’s ate laying down lying on couches like this.
Women wore lavish jewelry
Pompeian’s cooked in ovens like this
A carbonized loaf of bread was preserved after the eruption of Vesuvius.
Gold Coin Currency
Actors talk about a fast food style restaurant used by Pompeian’s
The largest display is the most unnerving: a collection of body casts. The figures are molds that were made by pouring plaster into impressions left in the hardened lava.
A body cast of a man unable to escape.
This diagram shows how much ash piled up in the city over time.

Carri’s Catch: Which roman God or Goddess are you most similar to? Inside the exhibit, volunteers will guide you through a short electronic questionnaire that asks questions about your personality and calculates what Roman God or Goddess you best represent.

“A Day in Pompeii” Presented by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science

2001 Colorado Blvd. Through Jan. 13; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, with extended hours on weekends. $15-$24 (includes regular museum admission)

303-370-6000 or www.dmns.org/pompeii

 

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