Destroyed in AD 79 by the terrible eruption of Vesuvius (at the same time as Herculaneum and Stabiae), Pompeii remained buried under a thick layer of ash until the 18C. As a result of this disaster, this small prosperous Roman town has been preserved in an almost perfect state, providing important archaeological information on everyday life during the Roman Empire. A walk around thus vast complex of ruins is a fascinating and moving experience.