New research has revealed that the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, long believed to have been frozen in time following the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, was in fact reoccupied and remained inhabited for centuries afterward. The findings, drawn from recent restoration work in the city’s southern quarter, indicate that life returned to the devastated site almost immediately after the disaster and persisted until at least the 5th century.
Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park and lead author of the study, explained that while the reoccupation had been noted by scholars before, it was often overshadowed by the fascination with the city’s well-preserved ruins. However, the nature of the resettlement was markedly different from Pompeii’s former grandeur. The returning inhabitants lived in makeshift shelters constructed amid the ruins, with no temples or public buildings. The upper storeys of partially buried structures served as homes, while the lower, ash-filled levels were converted into cellars and workshops.
These returnees were likely individuals with few alternatives—those without property or family elsewhere. Zuchtriegel suggests that desperation and familiarity with the city may have drawn them back. Another key motivator was the prospect of recovering buried valuables such as coins, statues, and marble, offering both economic incentive and a connection to the past.
Over time, vegetation reclaimed the landscape, and a fragile, informal community took root. This settlement endured despite its precarious conditions, only to be potentially extinguished by another eruption in AD 472 and the broader collapse of the Western Roman Empire. The combination of natural disaster, demographic decline, and political disintegration likely led to the final abandonment of the site.
Zuchtriegel highlighted the resilience of those who returned, noting the remarkable endurance of people in the face of extreme hardship. His findings challenge long-held assumptions about Pompeii’s fate and offer a new perspective on how societies cope with catastrophe.
