Mosaic of Neptune and Amphitrite on wall of villa at Herculaneum, Naples, Italy

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Herculaneum, or Ercolana, in Italy was not buried by falling rocks like Pompeii was in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD, instead it was engulfed in boiling mud. This preserved roofs, buildings and artefacts for future generations to find. The newer town sits on top of the excavations and most of the town is still underground. Herculaneum is better preserved than it more well known neighbour, Pompeii and it is easier to visualize how life was lived there before the night of the 24th of August 79AD when the sleeping giant erupted

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Size: 5050px × 3381px
Location: Herculaneum (Ercolano), Naples, Campania, Italy
Photo credit: © Brenda Kean / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

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