Pompeii discoveries reveal human presence during the Renaissance

Archaeological discoveries in the Insula Meridionalis, a southern district of Pompeii, have revealed evidence of human activity during the 15th and 16th centuries. The find, consisting of ceramic artifacts and other materials, suggests that the site was frequented during the Renaissance period, long before the official Bourbon excavations began in 1748.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, noted that these findings challenge the traditional view of Pompeii as a city that existed only as a Roman site frozen by the eruption of AD 79 and later rediscovered in the 18th century. Instead, the evidence points to a continuous, albeit precarious, human presence in the area.

These findings support ongoing research into the lives of survivors and subsequent inhabitants who lived in the shadow of the official historical narrative. The research is being highlighted through academic studies and public outreach initiatives, including the docu-drama ‘Pompei Fuori dal tempo’.