Two experts from The Open University help to demystify the latest findings of an archaeological excavation in volcano-hit Pompeii that features in this OU/BBC co-production.
The three-part series, Pompeii: The New Dig, due to air at 9pm on Monday, 15 April, on BBC Two, reveals a grand banqueting hall featuring black walls and a white mosaic floor within a villa being excavated.
It’s part of the biggest archaeological excavation in Pompeii for a generation and the aim is for a team of experts to unearth the buildings, their purpose, who lived there and what happened to them during the eruption.
During the series we shall see the shocking discovery of three bodies, crushed by a collapsed roof that may have caved because of the weight of the volcanic debris in AD79.
The team also discovers a lavishly decorated atrium, frescos of Achilles and marble tables that imply a wealthy and affluent Pompeiian owner.
Equally exciting as the banqueting room find, is a richly decorated 2,000-year-old fresco that seems to depict a ‘pizza’, focaccia with cheese and fruit, making it arguably the first depiction of a pizza across the Roman world.
The OU’s Dr Emma-Jayne Graham, Senior Lecturer and Head of Classical Studies who worked with Phil Perkins, Professor of Archaeology, said:
“One of the most exciting things about making this series was the chance to demystify an archaeological excavation and to show how completely unexpected stories about Roman people can emerge alongside newly discovered artefacts.
“Working closely with the production team on the scripts and the striking fresco-style animations was a great way of joining those aspects together to bring new interpretations of Pompeian society to life.”
Another of those finds was an industrial-sized brick-built oven belonging to what appears to be a commercial bakery selling its bread wholesale to the rest of Pompeii.
This series was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with particular relevance to:
Q85 | BA (Honours) Classical Studies | Open University
F59 | MA in Classical Studies | Open University
R14 | BA (Hons) Arts and Humanities | Open University
- Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Director, Broadcast and Partnerships
- Academic Consultant/s: Dr Emma-Jayne Graham and Professor Phil Perkins
- Media Fellow/s: Dr Joanna Paul and Dr Emily Bullock
- Broadcast Project Manager: Poppy Ross
- Supporting Online Content: Steff Easom
Supporting Online content:
Visit our Broadcast & Partnerships site OU Connect where you can find an interactive tour of the ancient city of Pompeii.
(NB: this site may not be live or complete prior to broadcast)
Picture credits: Lion TV
