Finally after years of intense work, the ancient beach of the Herculaneum excavations has been reopened to the public.
The inauguration took place on June 19, 2024, after a course of rearrangement of the entire area that lasted several years.
An important project not only to allow visitors to admire the waterfront of ancient Herculaneum. But also to put an end to the constant flooding in the area that could have created stability problems for the ancient monuments.
With this work, natural spring water and rainwater were finally brought under control and partly reused for the care of plants in the archaeological park and for offices.
For many years, in fact, the area was not usable by visitors precisely because of the problem of constant flooding that made the area swampy. The public could cross the area of the ancient beach only by means of a metal footbridge installed near the fornices. That allowed them to access the site and approach the ancient warehouses to admire the casts of the 300 fugitives who died during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Now with this project, the entire ancient shoreline of Herculaneum has been entirely reconstructed. Allowing visitors to walk freely over the entire surface and immerse themselves in the magic of the sea-kissed city of Herculaneum.
The work done and the choice of grits
The work focused first on resolving the stagnant water that was making the area swampy and prone to continuous flooding. Then on securing the entire area to avoid the problem of corrosion of ancient monuments. And then on the enhancement of the ancient waterfront.
During the archaeological excavations for the development of the area, traces of the ancient sand were found. Thanks to this study, we now know that at the time of the eruption of 79 A.D. the entire ancient shoreline was covered by a layer of sand of varying thickness of dark color.
Hence the decision to use basalt grit to cover the entire area in front of the fornices. This local gray-colored material evokes the appearance of the dark sand of the Herculaneum shoreline buried by the ashes of Vesuvius. Giving visitors the impression of finding themselves on the ancient beach of Herculaneum.
In addition, a new lighting system aimed at enhancing the seafront during evening visits has been created.
The ancient beach of Herculaneum
The ancient beach appeared as a beach of black volcanic sand. As it is today, it is typical of all beaches that face the sea and are located at the slopes of Vesuvius.
The beach was used in ancient times not only for maritime activities, but to reach the city and to climb up through ramps to the houses facing the sea.
Even on that night in 79 A.D., Herculaneum’s ancient beach proved to be of crucial importance, enabling rescuers to get the inhabitants affected by the terrible eruption of Vesuvius to safety.
Unfortunately for some 300 escapees, rescue never arrived. They were surprised by the arrival of the Pyroclastic Flux (gas, 400° water vapor and ash) that caused their instant death from asphyxiation and heat shock. The arrival of the waves of volcanic mud from Vesuvius then covered the remains of their bodies, sealing them in the position where they were found.
During the restoration work on the ancient beach, the body of the last escapee from Herculaneum was also found.
A 40/45 year old man who was on the seashore waiting for rescue and who died swept away by the pyroclastic flow still holding a fabric bag full of his belongings, including coins and rings.
In the same area years earlier, already several years earlier, namely in 1982, the skeleton of a completely charred rescue boat was found. The boat had come to Herculaneum to rescue its inhabitants. But it too was swept away by the pyroclastic flow, charring it instantly.
In short, an archaeological site that of Herculaneum is unique in the world.
