|Reſlections| Under Osanna and Zuchtriegel’s watch, the archaeological record, too, has begun to tell a slightly different story about Pompeii Frescoes spanning three walls in the aptly named Villa of Mysteries are widely believed to depict the initiation rites of a Dionysian cult Under Osanna and Zuchtriegel’s watch, the archaeological record, too, has begun to tell a slightly different story about Pompeii. One obvious example is the “new” dating of that devastating first-century AD eruption of Vesuvius. Until recently, the history books gave this as 24 August, based on literary sources. But the scholarly consensus, Zuchtriegel says, now leans towards an October date, based on clues that include traces of fresh olives and walnuts found in Pompeian kitchens, and the heavy clothing worn by some of the fleeing inhabitants. The type of discoveries that make the news is also changing. Once, Pompeii was associated, above all, with Roman luxury and decadence. Now it’s the city’s underclass – as well as its perhaps surprising multicultural and multiethnic population mix – that is in the headlines. In November 2021, excavations of a villa whose owner was rich enough to own a ceremonial chariot revealed a room assumed to have been Expert Advice To get the best out of Pompeii, you need a guide who will do more than skim the surface. Personable Naples-based guide Eliana Sandretti (elianasandretti. com) has worked as an archaeologist on the site, while all three of the Pompeii guides who currently lead the half-day tours offered by Rome-born international operator Context Travel (contexttravel.com) are passionate about the culture and history of the Vesuvian area. 66 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
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