Pompeii

7th century BC / The age of glory begins /
The first settlement site at Pompeii was founded at the mouth of the River Sarno in the Bay of Naples. Pompeii gradually developed into a flourishing Campanian port with a rich cultural life and intensive trade.

AD 79 / Disaster /
A sudden eruption of the volcano Vesuvius covered Pompeii with a five-metre thick layer of ashes, pumice and lava. A city the size of Hässleholm was wiped out. Many people escaped in time, others suffered a sudden death. The city fell into oblivion. 

16th century AD / Rediscovery /
Remains of Pompeii were found when the valley of the River Sarno was drained. Systematic excavations did not begin until 1748. Today roughly three quarters of the once flourishing Campanian city on the west coast of Italy has been excavated.