Archaeology & anthropology

Study: Romans Returned to Live in Pompeii Ruins After 79 A.D.

Published AUG 7 2025

Story

Above: Ruins of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. Image credit: Unsplash

The Facts

Archaeologists have discovered new evidence confirming that people returned to live in Pompeii after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D., destroying the ancient Roman city that was home to more than 20,000 people before the catastrophic event.
guardian
BBC News
In a statement on Wednesday, the researchers said that survivors who could not afford to start new lives elsewhere returned to the devastated area and were joined by others seeking settlement opportunities who hoped to recover valuable items buried in the rubble left by previous residents.
Daily Mail
ScienceAlert
The returnees established an informal settlement, where people lived in precarious conditions, lacking typical Roman city infrastructure such as water systems, sewage, roads and public services, which persisted until the fifth century.
IFLScience
Le Monde diplomatique
Residents occupied upper floors of damaged buildings that remained above the ash level, while converting buried ground floors into cellars equipped with ovens and mills for basic survival needs and storage purposes.
The Sun
The Jerusalem Post
Archaeological estimates indicate that 15 to 20% of Pompeii's population died in the eruption, mostly from thermal shock caused by the giant cloud of gases and ash that engulfed the city in 79 A.D.
GB News
Le Monde diplomatique
Previous evidence of reoccupation had been detected but was often removed or swept away without documentation during excavations focused on accessing the city's colorful frescoes and well-preserved artifacts.
ScienceAlert
BBC News

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The Spin

Narrative A

The return to Pompeii shows remarkable human resilience and adaptability in the face of catastrophe. These survivors demonstrated incredible determination by rebuilding their lives among the ruins rather than abandoning their homeland entirely. The settlement represents a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere through devastating circumstances.

The Jerusalem Post

IFLScience

Narrative B

The post-eruption settlement was nothing more than a desperate shantytown where people lived in squalid conditions without basic amenities. This wasn't a triumphant return but rather a grim existence among the ruins, lacking the infrastructure and dignity of proper Roman civilization. The makeshift community reflected poverty and desperation rather than resilience.

The Sun