In one of the most famous natural disasters in human history, Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, blanketing Pompeii in ash. The catastrophic event buried Pompeii and the surrounding area beneath a layer of ash, preserving many aspects of life for future archaeologists to uncover.
Today, photos from this archeological site show us how people lived during this time – from everyday activities such as having meals and going shopping to luxuriously decorated villas and enormous public spaces like theaters and arenas.