Ruins of Pompeii and Vesuvius. Image: Silar / Wikimedia Commons. Source.
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Pompeii was an ancient Roman city in Italy. People lived, worked and shopped there. Near the city was a volcano called Mount Vesuvius. In AD 79, the volcano erupted. Hot ash, rock and gas came from the mountain. Many people tried to escape. The city was covered by volcanic material and was lost for many centuries. Later, people found Pompeii again. Archaeologists began to uncover its streets, houses, shops and wall paintings. These discoveries help us understand everyday Roman life. Today, visitors can walk through parts of the ancient city. Mount Vesuvius is still near Pompeii, but the buried city has become one of the world's most famous archaeological sites.
