Pompeii Is Much Larger Than Most People Realize - And Most of It Is Still Buried

Nearly one-third of the Roman city remains buried beneath volcanic ash.

The turnstile clacks as I walk through the entrance to Pompeii.

Visitors enter Pompeii through ancient city gates each day. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD.

Each year, about four million people pass through these gates to see a city buried nearly two thousand years ago beneath almost ten feet of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The morning air still smells faintly of rain. Slick cobblestones shine under a pale sun as I step toward the ruins.

In the grooves of the stone streets, I notice deep ruts carved by Roman cart wheels. The last wagons rolled through here nearly two thousand years ago.

Large stepping stones cross many streets, raised so pedestrians could walk above muddy water and sewage while wagon wheels passed between them.