BBC Two HD Pompeii The New Dig Episode 1-3 (Complete) (2024)

Still springing surprises. The biggest dig in a generation unearths fascinating secrets. Exciting discoveries and illuminating animations bring the ancient Roman city to life. Episode 1 The Bodies: Following the most extensive archaeological excavation in Pompeii for a generation. Over the course of a year, an all-Italian team of archaeologists excavate an entire city block, Insula 10, in the north of the city. The team aims to unearth the buildings, their purpose, who lived there and what happened to them during the eruption. The excavation begins with the discovery of a large brick-built oven. It begins as a mystery, as it is too big to be just for a private residence. But further investigations reveal it was part of a thriving commercial bakery, selling its bread wholesale to the people of Pompeii. Episode 2 Escape: The dig continues and the all-Italian team of archaeologists discover the remains of a horse harness. As they cannot find any remains of the horse, they wonder if it managed to escape Pompeii as the eruption began. Professor Steven Tuck of Miami University joins the team as he seeks to trace those who might have escaped the city and determine the number of people who lived in Pompeii. Episode 3 The Final Hours: The archaeologists complete the excavation of a wealthy residence, a bakery and a laundry and, in doing so, discover evidence of what people were doing in the city during its final hours. Nineteen hours after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius begins, most of Pompeii is buried in metres of pumice. All over the city, roofs have collapsed, killing many, but some residents survive. As the eruption begins to subside, are they over the worst?