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Herculaneum
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 14:48:51

The same day that Maggie and I were at Torre del Greco, we drove over to the ancient site of Herculaneum—a town that was destroyed, like Pompei, in CE 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Because of the volcanic ash that encompassed the area, the remains of buildings are surprisingly intact—including wall frescos and various kinds of mosaics. (See the link below for info about Herculaneum.)

Although there are no beads to speak of, I will post a short series of images from our viewing of the ruins. We're beginning with a view of the area, with Vesuvio in the background, followed by the facade you pass through to get inside the site.

Jamey

Related link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herculaneum

The Site
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 14:51:33

This is what the site looks like from above, walking down to the entry place, and at one of the extant roads that has been reopened. You can still imagine carts and chariots rolling through this street, on their way somewhere....

JDA.

Modified by Beadman at Sun, Jul 22, 2007, 14:51:48

Two Frescos
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 14:56:00

Here are two images showing frescos that remain colorful and decorative after nearly 2000 years. A fresco is a painting on a wall, inside a building, with the pigments/paints applied to fresh plaster, so that the painting is fused to and part of that plaster.

The amazing thing to me was that the colors remain so present after so many years, and they are strong and vibrant. Even if you can't identify the designs, look at the composition as a display of color and pattern.

JDA.

A Mosaic of a Sea God
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 14:58:14

This mosaic panel in black and white, depicts a sea god and fish. As a Pisces, I am always attracted to images such as this.

JDA.

The Most Ornate Mosaic There
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:00:35

In one alcove, you get a view into what must have been an amazing room, 2000 years ago. One wall has this astounding mosaic installation, that presents a complex scene. In the center are a man and a woman standing together.

JDA.

Back to the Museum
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:09:44

After several hours at Herculaneum, Maggie and I returned to the Archaeology Museum. I wanted to see their stature of "Artemis"—since this was a major goal for me; plus there was a lot of the Museum we hadn't seen the previous day.

We began by returning the the Amber show, where I took a few more photographs of objects I had overlooked earlier.

This is the first exhibit you see in the amber show. It is a large natural (but polished) nodule of amber with a some insects (probably ants) inside. The second photograph is not of an ancient piece, but one that is several 100 years old. These fantastic creations were composed from several types of amber, and sometimes other materials (such as ivory), and served different functions. They were liturgical pieces in churches, or high art in the homes of the wealthy. The amber has tended to become more reddish over time.

JDA.

A Cup and a Chalice
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:11:54

Mary and Joseph with the Baby Jesus
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:13:43

Religious scenes in amber are not so common, but here's a beautiful miniature carving.

Two Mosaic-Glass Bowls from the Roman Period
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:15:02

A Glass Pyxis and an Agate Bottle
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:18:44

These two artifacts show us that vessels made of variegated stone were manufactured and admired, and that glass artisans sought to make similar pieces in glass—imitating the banding of beautiful, popular minerals. (A pyxis is a small covered box, sometimes used to hold precious items.)

JDA.

A Miniature Bottle and a Phoenician Head Pendant
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:22:21

This little bottle in banded agate is less that two inches tall, and probably held rare unguents (or the like). I would have to guess that the stone was artificially colored brown, just like the beads that were made at this time.

The Phoenician head pendant is not a brilliant shot, but it's one of the few items of personal adornment that I photographed that day.

JDA.

A Pillar and Alexander The Great
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/22/2007, 15:29:14

The final two images I'm showing today represent an elaborate mosaic pillar, covered in floral designs, and a detail of a panel that shows Alexander The Great on his horse Beucephalus, in a war scene.

By the way, the statue of "Artemis" was on-loan to another museum, so I did not not to see her. I did buy the catalogue and post cards showing her..., but I want to reserve this image until after I get to Turkey, where I will show the photos from Ephesus.

Jamey

Re: A Pillar and Alexander The Great
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Posted by: will

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07/23/2007, 15:23:05

A great trip with an excellent guide! Thank you, Jamey.

Incidentally, that face decorating Alexander's chestplate looks very much like a mosaic face bead, doesn't it?

Will

The strong brow and the straight nose...yes!
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Posted by: Joyce

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07/23/2007, 16:57:35

I think I assumed it was a Medusa.
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Posted by: Beadman

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07/23/2007, 19:13:06

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