考古學者發現了這座古城的遺址,挖開了約25公尺深的岩石、灰燼和殘骸後,龐貝城的景象終於重見天日…
![Archaeologists excavated the site centuries later, uncovering much of a town buried under about 25 meters of ash, dust, and rocks.](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174150.jpg)
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公元79年時位於歐洲義大利的維蘇威火山一次大爆發,據說在噴發前已經持續了4天的小規模地震,但當時的古羅馬人早已對地震見怪不怪了,於是並沒有因為這些徵兆而逃難。當時噴發出的火山灰直衝約33公里高的高空,當時總共發生了6次致命的火山碎屑流,赫庫蘭尼姆 (Herculaneum) 就在第一波高達攝氏500度的火山碎屑侵襲之下、頓時將所有人事物包含屍骸直接燒為灰燼。
而距離相對比較遠的龐貝城則被第四波火山碎屑襲擊,這時溫度約剩攝氏300度,因此許多當時罹難者的遺體甚至衣服、都還保留在火山灰底下覆蓋著…
![Aside from artifacts and buildings, archaeologists found impressions left in the hardened soil that gave them chills.](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174157.jpg)
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除了歷史文獻和建築,考古學家們更發現一個驚人的事實…龐貝城的人們因為逃生不及,於是骸骨就維持著死前的姿態一直到現在。
為了確保屍骸的完整、不因開挖而被破壞,考古學者透過注入石膏這個方法,來將遺體軀殼做成鑄像。
![To preserve the bodies, plaster was poured into the impressions and removed when it hardened. In all, thirteen bodies were recovered this way, frozen in their last motions as they tried to flee from the eruption.](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174149.jpg)
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這些罹難者的鑄像也反映了當時災難降臨時的情況。
![Their positions are twisted and frightened, arms bent to shield their faces in a futile attempt at self-preservation.](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174156.jpg)
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每個人看起來都相當惶恐、害怕,並且用手捂著頭部。
![When you look at the figures, you're seeing the moment they perished.](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174155.jpg)
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這些罹難者都是瞬間死亡的,透過這些鑄像讓人不難想像當時火山爆發的可怕程度。
![The plaster casts, thirteen in total, were found in what was once an orchard, where they are displayed today.](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174153.jpg)
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龐貝城在火山爆發時是個繁榮的城市,居住人口約有2萬人之多。
![The place is known as the "Garden of the Fugitives," and lends a uniquely human element to the historical site, reminding us that men, women, and children lived and died here.](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174152.jpg)
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於1997年時,龐貝城考古區被列為世界文化遺產之一。
![](https://teepr.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/desktop-1426174151.jpg)
Amusing Planet
來源:Amusing Planet
這些照片真的看起來很驚悚…而透過考古學者的努力之下所還原出的當時災變事發經過,讓人不禁對大自然的力量感到懼怕,雖然是距今一千多年前的古文明,但如此猛烈的災難、人們能夠透過現代科技而克服嗎?
(往下還有更多精彩文章!)