Herculaneum, an ancient Roman town destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, is remarkably better preserved than its more famous counterpart, Pompeii. This is primarily due to the different nature of the pyroclastic flows that engulfed the two cities. Herculaneum was buried under a thick layer of ash and pumice, which acted as an insulating blanket, protecting the city's structures and organic materials from the intense heat. Pompeii, on the other hand, was subjected to a more destructive surge of superheated gas and ash, which caused widespread devastation and carbonized many of its inhabitants. As a result, Herculaneum's ruins are far more intact, with well-preserved buildings, frescoes, and artifacts, offering a more vivid glimpse into the daily lives of the ancient Romans.
