I’ll be honest, I am not a big art person. You won’t find me hanging out at art galleries or traveling to see the latest exhibit, but when I was provided the opportunity to see the “A Day in Pompeii” exhibit at the Museum of Science (Boston), I was tempted to go.
I have always been interested in Roman, Greek and Eyptian history and this was about a civilization that was destroyed, yet preserved, as a result of a volcanic eruption in 79 A.D. For 17 centuries, the city remained lost, forgotten and preserved. It was rediscovered in the 1700s, building by building, street by street, and room by room. It was the most complete and intact ancient city that has ever been discovered. Beautiful art work, furniture, jewelry, insights into the daily lives of the people who lived and worked there, show many similarities to our modern day society. Medical tools, cooking utensils, and beauty supplies were all discovered. Sadly, many individuals were also discovered, preserved under volcanic ash and debris from a natural disaster that, from scientific research, happens once every 2000 years.
The exhibit is only open until February 12, 2012 here in Boston, but it is traveling around the country, so check to see if it will be near you. It is definitely worth a date night to spend some time learning about the people and the lives they lived, as well as details of a volcanic eruption beyond the scope that many of us know as Mt. St. Helens.
Here are some samples of the art, sculptures and artifacts from the exhibit. (Non-flash photography is allowed in the exhibit.) Note that these are real – not reproductions.
As a mentioned before, while the volcanic debris preserved various artifacts, it also preserved the people who were not able to escape. The exhibit shows some of that (though just cast molds). I didn’t feel comfortable sharing those out of respect and it is just something that needs to be experienced rather than seen. If you want to avoid that section you can, as it is in a separate space. (Also good if you don’t want to explain to children.) But based on research, over the years, they have been able to re-create what an average Pompeii citizen would look like.
I wouldn’t say it is a great place to bring young children. While many of the pieces are behind glass, some are not, and there are signs everywhere saying “Don’t Touch”. Furthermore, it is more adult-like and many younger children would be very bored. So get a babysitter and check it out before it leaves Boston (next stop is Cincinnati, OH). It was amazing, moving, and haunting. So if you can’t fly to Pompeii, this is the next best thing.
YouTube Video also available courtesy of the Boston Museum of Science.
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Image Credit: My own.
Disclosure: I received free admission from the Museum of Science to attend the exhibit. The thoughts and opinions of this post are my own.
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Monday, January 23rd, 2012, 6:52 am | 
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January 23, 2012 at 7:53 am
Nice review! We have been thinking of catching this exhibit, but with kids. We have a 6 yr old who is really into history. Do you think there is anything too out there or graphic? I guess I’m wondering about the cast molds of the people, etc.
January 23, 2012 at 2:54 pm
I passed on the chance to see this exhibit. We visited Pompeii on our honeymoon and I am haunted to this day by the casts of people trying to hide from the volcanic ash. I’ve gone back and forth about catching the exhibit, as a result. That said, I was truly amazed by the advanced technologies they created, and they did have some beautiful artwork as well.
January 23, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Christy – I can only imagine what it would have been like actually there. The way the exhibit is set up, they actually have it in a different room so you can ‘pass’ on that section without seeing if you want. Also a great setup for little kids if you don’t want to have to explain….