What remained standing after the eruption?
ri-MA-se — stress on second syllable. Irregular past tense of 'rimanere'.
Ask when trying to understand which elements are original vs reconstructed at a volcanic site. Helps you appreciate what you are really seeing. Also opens discussion of preservation and what the eruption actually did.
At Pompeii, the eruption buried but also preserved. Walls stood up to 3–4 metres. Floors remained largely intact. Roofs collapsed under ash weight. Organic materials (wood, fabric, food) were carbonised. At Herculaneum, the pyroclastic surge preserved organic materials better through rapid carbonisation.
Le pareti sono originali?
Are the walls original?
Yes — at Pompeii most visible walls are original Roman masonry.
Cosa è stato restaurato dagli archeologi?
What has been restored by archaeologists?
Important to distinguish original from reconstructed elements.
Ci sono parti ancora da scavare?
Are there parts still to be excavated?
Yes — about 1/3 of Pompeii remains underground.
The ancient Roman construction technique — rubble-core walls faced with stone or brick — proved remarkably durable. The walls you walk past in Pompeii are genuine Roman masonry from 2,000 years ago, still standing to head height in many places. This is a humbling thought that Italian guides encourage visitors to pause and consider.