NOVA 52x5 - Pompeii's Secret Underworld

For over two centuries, archaeologists have hailed Pompeii asa sophisticated city at the heart of an advanced ancientcivilization. But a series of new excavations is painting amuch more complex picture of the city tragically buried by theeruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. New archaeological finds– including 2,000-year-old lines of graffiti, humanremains, and artifacts from ancient homes and businesses –are revealing a city of both staggering wealth and extremepoverty, dependent on slavery, and riven by politicalconflicts, violence, and riots. Before Vesuvius rumbled, thejewel of the ancient Roman Empire hid a very dark side.