Ercolano and the Roman town preserved in wood
Published on 09/23/2026 at 23:06 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Ercolano preserves an ancient Roman town beneath the slopes of Vesuvius, where streets, houses and wooden objects remain part of the archaeological landscape. The eruption of AD 79 buried the settlement beneath volcanic material, creating a place where domestic details survive alongside public buildings.
Ercolano beneath the layers of Vesuvius
Ancient Ercolano occupied a coastal plateau overlooking the Bay of Naples, with Mount Vesuvius behind it. The town covered about 20 hectares and followed a Roman street plan based on decumani and cardini.
Ercolano became a Roman municipality after its conquest in 89 BC. During the Augustan age, public buildings were restored, including the theatre and the Basilica of Nonius Balbus. An earthquake damaged the town in AD 62, before the eruption of Vesuvius buried it in AD 79. Ercolano’s Roman history is recorded through its streets, buildings and later excavations.
Wood, frescoes and rooms left in place
Ercolano differs from many Roman archaeological sites through the survival of organic materials. Carbonised doors, furniture, stairs, partitions, tools and small boats have been recovered from the volcanic deposits.
Wooden elements appear in domestic architecture as well as household objects. The Casa del Rilievo di Telefo preserves a decorated wooden ceiling with traces of gilding and painted colours. The site also contains shops with large wine jars, baths, a palaestra and residential buildings arranged along paved streets. The surviving wooden objects connect the excavated rooms with ordinary activities such as storage, cooking, furnishing and work.
From Roman municipality to archaeological park
Ercolano was rediscovered in the eighteenth century, when excavations advanced through underground shafts and tunnels. Open-air excavation resumed in 1828 and continued until 1875, followed by renewed work under the archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri from 1927.
The excavated area forms part of the Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Ercolano and Torre Annunziata, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. The designation includes Roman urban remains, villas and the wider Vesuvian landscape. The 1997 World Heritage inscription recognises the archaeological evidence preserved around Vesuvius.
The modern town surrounds parts of the ancient settlement, while the archaeological park presents houses, shops, public buildings and the waterfront area. The Villa of the Papyri lies beyond the ancient city walls and is associated with a large collection of papyrus scrolls and high-status furnishings.
Visiting Ercolano: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- Ercolano lies in Campania, south-east of Naples, on the lower slopes of Vesuvius. The Circumvesuviana railway connects Napoli Centrale with Ercolano Scavi, followed by a walk to Corso Resina.
- The archaeological area includes paved Roman streets, uneven surfaces, steps and excavated buildings set below the modern town. Comfortable footwear is relevant to the terrain.
- The official language is Italian and the currency is the euro.
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Frequently asked questions about Ercolano
Where is Ercolano?
Ercolano is in Campania, south-east of Naples, on the lower slopes of Mount Vesuvius. The archaeological park lies within the modern town of Ercolano.
What can visitors expect at Ercolano?
The site contains Roman streets, homes, shops, baths, public buildings and waterfront remains. Uneven paving, steps and excavated spaces form part of the visit.
What makes Ercolano distinctive?
Volcanic deposits preserved wooden architecture, furniture, tools and other organic materials. These finds provide detailed evidence of domestic life in a Roman town.
