It was 1982, when an incredible archaeological discovery unveiled a fascinating piece of the history of the ancient city of Herculaneum, located near Pompeii and buried along with the latter by the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Near the suburban baths, a burned boat dating from the time of the eruption was found buried under a blanket of volcanic ash.
It is an important and surprising piece of evidence that has made it possible to reconstruct what happened that distant October 24, 79 AD.
What happens during the eruption at Herculaneum
It was a day like any other when suddenly that mountain began to spew lapilli and ash. Invading first the streets of ancient Pompeii and later devastating Herculaneum with the very powerful pyroclastic flow.
It was a terrifying and painful fate that the Herculaneans tried to avoid from the earliest moments by taking refuge in the fornices near the sea as they waited for rescue that would bring them to safety. Numerous boats left bound for Herculaneum to help as many men, women and children as possible. But not everyone managed to escape death.
Unfortunately, the arrival of the pyroclastic flow destroyed their homes and lives in an instant. And it reached as far as the sea, burning and destroying everything in front of it, even boats coming from the sea.
It was one of these boats that was recovered in an exceptional state of preservation near the ancient beach of Herculaneum on August 3, 1982.
The bodies of three hundred Herculaneans were also found at the same spot. Who had sought shelter inside those sturdy arches ( the fornices ) built under the terrace of Marcus Nonius Balbus while waiting for rescue.
And it is the finding of these elements that helped not only to understand what happened that day during the eruption but also the conformation of the city of Herculaneum. That changed as a result of the powerful eruption and the volcanic materials that totally covered it.
In fact, it was discovered that the ancient beach was in a more backward position than it is today. This is due to the fact that Herculaneum was completely submerged with more than 20 meters of mud and volcanic material, which pushed the formation of the seashore kilometers away from that of 2000 years ago.
What the burned boat of Herculaneum looked like
The 9-meter-long and 2.2-meter-wide boat, similar to a liburna i.e., a military lance, was built with the use of different wooden materials, including oak, fir and chestnut. And it consisted of two rows of rowers, 3 on each side, which allowed the boat to move with speed even in the absence of wind.
It was found buried in the mud along with other artifacts. Among them was a tiny wooden piggy bank with a sliding lid with a silver coin and a bronze coin with Vespasian’s face inside.
But not only near the same were also recovered the remains of a soldier, about 6 feet tall, equipped with a dagger and a gladius.
The skeleton of the boat was preserved intact for centuries under the blanket of ash, thanks to the absence of oxygen. The cinnabar red with which the bow had been painted was also clear and glaring. An unprecedented discovery that demonstrates the full importance and exceptional nature of this ancient city.
The exhibits displayed in the boat hall
After it was found, the burned boat underwent careful conservation work to preserve its integrity. It was subsequently displayed in the Herculaneum Boat Hall. Where visitors from all over the world can admire this extraordinary find and immerse themselves in the fascinating history of ancient Herculaneum.
The boat salon, which is located near the entrance to the archaeological zone, contains not only the skeleton of the boat but also many artifacts. Which were recovered from the various buildings in the city and from the suburban baths perhaps used as storage.
These include fishing nets, with the hooks and crochet hooks used to repair the nets themselves.
But not only beside some well-preserved oars, an anchor with the remains of shellfish still attached to it and some amphorae are on display.
