Herculaneum began as a small coastal settlement overlooking the Bay of Naples. Over the centuries, different cultures shaped its identity.

• 8th–6th century BC: Settled by the Oscan people
  
• 6th–4th century BC: Influenced by the Etruscans and later the Greeks, who called it Heraklion
  
• 4th century BC: Taken over by the Samnites
  
• 89 BC: Incorporated into the Roman Empire

Under Rome, Herculaneum became a refined and prosperous seaside town, known for elegant villas, private leisure spaces, and a slower rhythm of life compared to nearby Pompeii.

In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted with devastating force.
While Pompeii was buried under falling ash and pumice during the first phase, Herculaneum was struck by the second, far more destructive wave: superheated pyroclastic flows.

The intense heat carbonized wood, furniture, textiles, food, and even structural beams, preserving them in astonishing detail. Entire rooms, wall paintings, and everyday objects were sealed exactly where they were left.

This is what makes Herculaneum one of the most vivid snapshots of Roman life ever discovered.

After the eruption, Herculaneum disappeared beneath almost 30 meters of volcanic material and remained hidden for nearly 1,600 years.

• 18th century: The first tunnels uncovered artworks and walls
  
• 20th century: Under archaeologist Amedeo Maiuri, large-scale scientific excavation began
  
• Today: Archaeologists continue to uncover new details about how people lived, worked, ate, and interacted in the ancient town

Herculaneum’s preservation continues to offer new discoveries, some just decades old.

Herculaneum is located on the western side of Vesuvius, closer to the volcano than Pompeii. The town was buried so deeply that much of it sits lower than the modern ground level.

In fact, the modern town of Ercolano developed above it. Because of this, a full excavation would require removing parts of a living town, which is why only a portion of ancient Herculaneum is currently visible.

Like many Roman towns, Herculaneum follows a grid-style layout, with:

• Decumani → east–west main streets
  
• Cardo → north–south cross streets

The town features:

• Grand villas with sea views
  
• Public bath complexes
  
• Shops, taverns, and workshops
  
• Shoreline boat sheds (fornici)
  
• Stunning frescoes and mosaic floors still in place

Compared to Pompeii, Herculaneum is more intimate, compact, and easier to explore in depth.

Herculaneum was home to a wealthier population, but everyday life was diverse, from aristocrats to artisans and slaves. The remarkable preservation of organic remains provides rare insight into diet and lifestyle:

• Seafood accounted for nearly 70% of their diet
  
• Men typically consumed more grains and seafood
  
• Women ate more meat and dairy

These details help us understand not just how they lived, but how they ate, worked, and experienced daily life.