Recent excavations near Mount Vesuvius have uncovered ancient footprints dating back to the Bronze Age, along with a wealth of historical artifacts. These findings emerged during construction work on a gas pipeline in the municipalities of Nocera Superiore, Nocera Inferiore, Roccapiemonte, and Castel San Giorgio, located southeast of Naples.
The excavation, conducted over the past two years by archaeologists in collaboration with construction teams, revealed that the footprints were preserved in pyroclastic deposits, indicating a mass evacuation of residents and animals from an earlier eruption of Mount Vesuvius, occurring over 1,000 years prior to the catastrophic eruption in 79 C.E. that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum.
In addition to the footprints, the site has yielded artifacts spanning from the Bronze Age (3300 B.C.E. to 1200 B.C.E.) to Late Antiquity (3rd to 7th centuries C.E.). Among the significant discoveries are remnants of huts from the late Bronze Age and early Iron Age, as well as miniature ceramics and pottery from the 3rd and 2nd centuries B.C.E.
Archaeologists also identified two large complexes from the Roman era, which may have been used for agricultural production based on nearby plow furrows. The excavation revealed an extensive ancient road system, with at least 40 streets ranging from simple paths to more complex routes, indicating the area’s historical significance.
Additionally, multiple burial sites were found, some dating to the Roman era and Late Antiquity, featuring stone slabs with engravings and primarily containing the remains of children. One burial included a coffin believed to belong to an individual of high status.
The research team also discovered longhouses from Late Antiquity, constructed similarly to prehistoric dwellings. According to the researchers, “This return to housing patterns of the past, likely due to socio-economic changes, testifies to human communities' ability to adapt in the face of transformations.”
While the eruption that occurred over a millennium ago is less well-known, it remains a significant event in the region's history, showcasing the impact of volcanic activity on ancient communities.