Herculaneum
Herculaneum (in Italian, Ercolano) is one of the most remarkably preserved urban archaeological sites of the ancient Roman Empire. Located in the Bay of Naples, at the western foot of Mount Vesuvius, the town was buried by the volcanic eruption of AD 79, the same disaster that destroyed Pompeii. However, the two sites offer distinct experiences: Herculaneum is smaller in scale, with a more compact urban layout, and features preservation phenomena that are rare in Mediterranean archaeology.
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The site reveals not only monumental public buildings but also the material and spatial framework of everyday life: inner courtyards of houses, traces of upper floors, shop spaces, workshops, street drainage, and details of urban infrastructure together paint a picture of a living, functioning town.
The features of destruction and preservation
Herculaneum's state of preservation is explained by the physical and chemical properties of the volcanic material. The town was covered by thick, hot pyroclastic deposits that, in many places, 'sealed' the spaces: this allowed the survival of organic materials (such as wooden structures, imprints of furniture, and carbonised remains of architectural elements) that would typically perish in other environments. This uniqueness enriches archaeological interpretation, as objects and structures can often be studied in their original functional contexts rather than in isolation.
The site also serves as a scientific lesson: it vividly demonstrates how a rapid, high-energy disaster transforms urban space and how a moment in the life of a settlement is 'frozen' in the geological record.
Urban structure and architecture: what does the visitor see?
The walkable area in Herculaneum is concentrated, offering a high density of information in a shorter timeframe. The scale of the urban fragments is human-sized: the proportions of houses and streets are easy to grasp, and the interiors clearly illustrate the hierarchy of Roman domestic life (reception rooms, representative spaces, servant zones, courtyards, and garden areas).
Key highlights include:
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decorated walls, mosaics, and inner courtyards of houses,
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spaces related to communal and bathing culture,
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traces of urban utilities and water use (water supply, drainage),
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layers of the town's relationship with the sea, reflecting the historical changes in the landscape and settlement.
The value of the site lies not only in its 'beautiful' ruins but also in its ability to reveal the logic of urban functioning: how trade, transport, and the spatial separation of private and public life were organised, as well as the materials and techniques used in construction.
Herculaneum in scientific education
Herculaneum is a cornerstone for archaeology and ancient history, as the phenomena observed here are directly linked to the study of Roman daily life. The settlement can be seen as a 'laboratory': the modes of preservation, stratigraphic relationships, and material usage provide a complex dataset that aligns well with modern investigative methods (material analysis, micromorphology, building diagnostics, digital documentation).
From an educational perspective, it is particularly impactful because it guides visitors to understand that heritage is not just about visuals but about interpretation: every wall fragment, plaster or mosaic piece, staircase remnant, and drainage channel is an imprint of a historical 'question.'
Visitor experience and interpretation
To fully appreciate the site, adopting a 'slow reading' strategy is recommended: the true experience comes from understanding the details rather than focusing on quantity. In Herculaneum, spatial orientation (street lines, building blocks, entrances) is particularly useful, as it allows visitors to see the site not just as individual houses but as part of a broader urban context.
A scientific educational approach is well complemented by visitors asking questions as they explore:
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What does a house's floor plan reveal about social status?
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How was water use and hygiene organised?
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Which architectural details indicate repairs or modifications?
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What traces did the disaster leave in the space, and what has been 'added' by later excavations?
Sustainability and heritage conservation
The sustainable management of Herculaneum is rooted in heritage conservation: the site can remain accessible in the long term only if preservation, visitor impact, and presentation are balanced. The greatest risks often come not from tourism but from environmental factors (rainfall, moisture, salt crystallisation, temperature fluctuations, biological growth), making continuous monitoring, preventive maintenance, drainage control, and the protection of vulnerable surfaces and spaces essential.
From the visitor's perspective, sustainability means 'gentle use': following designated routes, avoiding touching decorated surfaces, consciously avoiding peak times, and maintaining respectful behaviour appropriate to the site. At the same time, authentic interpretation also serves as a tool for heritage conservation: if the presentation clearly distinguishes between verified elements, reconstructions, and assumptions, visitors not only enjoy the experience but also understand why protecting the ruins is necessary.
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Sustainability status report
The values shown here come from I-DEST's internal self-assessment system, which shows the progress of a service provider or location in various areas of sustainability. These are not rating scores, but rather informative feedback to support improvement.
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