Pompeii: Life and Death in a Roman Town

In a dark cellar in Oplontis, just three miles from the centre of Pompeii, 54 skeletons who didn’t succumb to the torrent of volcanic ash are about to be put under the microscope of forensic science - and there are some big surprises in store.

Cambridge professor and Pompeii expert Mary Beard takes us on journey from the cellar to a small ancient town which nevertheless boasted more than 50 fast food joints, dozens of rowdy bars, a 200 foot long swimming pool and even a its own brothel.

This film opens the lid on this most famous of ancient towns to reveal Pompeii as it’s never been seen before…