When the volcano Vesuvius erupted in AD 79, the city of Pompeii was buried in ash & rock, then forgotten, left almost perfectly preserved for centuries. Archaeological excavation of the site began in 1748 & revealed extraordinary evidence about public & private life at the height of the Roman Empire. Colin Amery & Brian Curran Jr of the World Monuments Fund describe the history of Pompeii from its origins to its tragic destruction, & discuss the repercussions of the discoveries made there on art, archaeology & interior design. They also explain the ongoing conservation & renovation work that is taking place at the site today.