The excavated ruins of the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in Italy has expanded the world to further knowledge as well as new insight on the heritage and everyday life of citizens of the Roman Empire. On August 24th 79AD, the two cities were destroyed and buried under metres of volcanic material after the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. Through excavation scientists have been able to obtain great knowledge and uncover historic treasures that tell of a unique civilisation both similar and different from our own.