Until the fateful events of AD 79, Pompeii was much like any other Roman resort town. Set on the beautiful Bay of Naples, 14 miles (23km) south of Naples itself, it was home to lavish villas, vineyards and olive groves fed by the rich volcanic soils of Mount Vesuvius – but this active volcano was soon to erupt, burying the town in a thick layer of debris. Ironically, the disaster that proved Pompeii’s undoing also preserved it for years to come. Uncovering this town frozen forever in time helped establish the foundations of modern archaeology.

Click through the gallery to discover the fascinating story of Pompeii...