Survivors of Vesuvius: Tracing Escape Routes Through Ancient Records and a Pungent Condiment
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under layers of ash and pumice, preserving them in tragic detail. While much has been written about the destruction, the story of those who survived is far less known. Thanks to the meticulous record-keeping practices of Pompeii's residents and the surprising discovery of a garum amphora, a researcher named **Steven Tuck** embarked on a fascinating journey to trace survivors and their escape routes. The Disaster Unfolds When Vesuvius erupted, it unleashed chaos on the residents of Pompeii. The disaster struck in stages: 1. **Initial Tremors**: Earthquakes leading up to the eruption were not uncommon in the region, so many residents dismissed them as routine. 2. **First Eruption Phase (Around 1 PM)**: A towering column of ash, pumice, and gases shot miles into the sky. For hours, debris rained down on Pompeii, collapsing roofs and ma...