Main content
This programme is not currently available on BBC iPlayer

Pompeii: New Secrets Revealed with Mary Beard

Documentary. With unparalleled access to Pompeii and featuring cutting-edge modern technology, Mary Beard guides us through this amazing slice of the ancient world.

With unparalleled access to Pompeii and featuring cutting-edge modern technology, Mary Beard guides us through this amazing slice of the ancient world.

For the first time ever, CT scanning and x-ray equipment bring new light to the secrets of the victims of the 79 AD eruption. Mary unpacks the human stories behind the tragic figures - gladiators, slaves, businesswomen and children.

She goes behind the scenes of the Great Pompeii Project, where restoration teams have gradually removed the layers of time and deterioration from the frescoes and mosaics of houses closed to the public for decades. And with the help of point-cloud scanning technology, Pompeii is seen and explained like never before.

Mary has unprecedented access to hidden storerooms and archaeological labs packed to the hilt with items from daily life: plumbing fittings, pottery, paint pots, foodstuff and fishing nets. As she pieces it all together, Mary presents a film that is a celebratory and unique view of life in this extraordinary town.

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 28 Feb 202003:00

Credits

RoleContributor
PresenterMary Beard
WriterMary Beard
DirectorIan A Hunt
ProducerElena Mortelliti
Film EditorNigel Timperley
Executive ProducerRichard Bradley
Executive ProducerCaterina Turroni
Director of photographyDavid Langan
Sound RecordistTim Hodge
ComposerNeil Cartwright
Production CompanyLion Television
Production CompanyAt Land Productions

Broadcasts

  • Thu 3 Mar 201621:00
  • Wed 16 Mar 201623:35
  • Thu 17 Mar 201600:05
  • Thu 17 Mar 201600:35
  • Thu 24 Mar 201602:15
  • Mon 10 Jun 201921:00
  • Tue 11 Jun 201903:00
  • Thu 27 Feb 202021:00
  • Fri 28 Feb 202003:00

Featured in...

Pompeii continues to surprise me

Pompeii continues to surprise me

Mary Beard on her love of the Roman town, and why there’s always something new to see.