The city’s sudden burial served to protect it for the next 17 centuries from vandalism, looting and the destructive effects of climate and weather.

The ruins at Pompei were first discovered in the 16th century, but a systematic excavation began only around the half of the 18th century, when an inscription “Rei publicae Pompeianorum” was found that identified the site as Pompei. This work marked the start of the modern science of archeology. The early digging was often haphazard and irresponsible, carried out by treasure seekers or other untrained workers.

But a scientific method was started by the Italian archeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli later in 1860.

Areas lying between excavated sites were cleared and carefully documented. Pompei was divided into nine regions; the blocks in each region were numbered and each door on the street was given a number, so that each house could be conveniently located by three numerals. Fiorelli, developed the technique of making casts of bodies by pouring cement into the hollows formed on the volcanic ash where the bodies had disintegrated.

Intensive excavation was resumed only after the interruption caused by World War II. By the 1990s two-thirds of the city had been excavated.

Systematic excavations were started also in the surrounding areas, where the Villa of San Marco, with its two large peristyle gardens and bath is the best preserved for the joy of the tourists. Other few villas can be seen there, notably the Villa of the Mysteries.