The extent of the archeological sites makes them of the greatest importance, for they provide a unique source of information about so many aspects of social, economic, religious and political life of the ancient world. The many well-preserved house shrines give an unexpected picture of the vitality of religion in the family.

The bakeries, complete with mills, kneading machines and ovens, some still containing loaves of bread, show how this staple of every day life was produced.

Numerous fulleries (processing and cleaning plants for wool) make it possible to study this important industry. The shops of the sculptor, toolmaker and gem cutter, as well as the factories for garum (fish sauce) and lamps and the many wine and food shops, document other aspects of this ancient life.

Pompei was a busy port that exported products throughout the Mediterranean region. Merchants and tradesmen found food and lodging in the city. Some restaurants and inns were quite attractive and served food to guests, who reclined in the garden.

Inscriptions provide further information. They include monumental inscriptions on public buildings, tombs and statue bases; the business transactions recorded in the famous wax tablets of the banker, announcements of gladiatorial combats and many election notices. Preserved in the graffiti are accounts, lists of market days, insults and accusations, the exchanges of lovers, quotation from Virgil and even scratched alphabets of children.

If we compare the relics of Pompei and those of the imperial Rome for instance, we find that the first, preserved for 17 centuries under a blanket of tick ashes, today present much more details, elements of historical importance to know the life of the ancient society, while those of Rome had been always under the ravages of weather during twenty centuries, resulting more damaged and reduced to the essential structure.