The Field Museum Education Department Presents

Transcription

1 The Field Museum Education Department Presents Educator Guide & Walking Map October 22, 2005 March 26, 2006 The exhibition was organized by the Ministero per i Beni e le Attivitá Culturali, Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei, Soprintendenza per i Beni archeologici delle province di Napoli e Caserta, Regione Campania. Presented by The Field Museum Education Department develops on-line Educator Guides to provide detailed information on field trip planning, alignment with Illinois State Goals and Learning Standards, as well as suggested hands-on classroom activities to do before, during and after your visit to the Museum.

2 Teacher Notes: Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption October 22, 2005 March 26, 2006 This Educator Guide is separated into four parts: exhibition guide; teacher and student resources; fun facts; and a walking map. Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption consists of six sections. You will encounter over 450 artifacts and four auditory elements (please note that there are no recreated environments or interactives in this exhibition). An audio tour, produced in conjunction with Antenna Audio, will also be available for purchase. The tour currently includes 15 stops, and is designed to give a more in-depth look at some of the most important objects in the exhibition. Before you visit the exhibition, spend some time viewing the information on the Museum s Web site at to begin planning your visit. We also recommend using some of our quick fun facts and pre-activities to introduce your students to the cultural complexities of the exhibition and focus on one or two sections within the exhibition to study in depth. Each section of this guide has an introduction, guiding questions, pre-activities, field trip activities, and post-activities, answers to guiding questions to help guide your students experience. The Field Museum The Field Museum Educator Guide Teacher Notes Page 2

3 Content: Part One: Educator Guide by Section Section 1: Introduction to Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption The Field Museum Part Two: Teacher and Student Resources Part Three: Fun Facts Part Four: Walking Map Section 2: Herculaneum Ministero per i Beni e le Attivitá Culturali - Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei Section 3: Rural Villas: Oplontis and Terzigno Ministero per i Beni e le Attivitá Culturali - Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei Section 4: Pompeii Ministero per i Beni e le Attivitá Culturali - Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei Section 5: Volcanism The Field Museum Section 6: Pompeii and Vesuvius Today The Field Museum The Field Museum Educator Guide Content Page 3

4 Illinois State Standards (with adaptations to specific activities and grade levels) Use of the materials in this Educator Guide in combination with a field trip to Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption will help you link learning experiences to the following Illinois Learning Standards. Teachers will need to identify specific goals to map to individual lesson plans or larger units of study. This exhibition, while suitable for all students regardless of grade level or learning style maps closely to concepts studied in later elementary, middle school, and high school. English Language Arts State Goal 1: Read with understanding and fluency State Goal 2: Read and understand literature representative of various societies, eras and ideas State Goal 3: Write to communicate for a variety of purposes State Goal 5: Use the language arts to acquire, assess and communicate information Mathematics Science State Goal 7: Estimate, make and use measurements of objects, quantities and relationships and determine acceptable levels of accuracy State Goal 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems. State Goal 12: Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of the life, physical and earth/space sciences Social Studies Fine Arts State Goal 17: Understand world geography and the effects of geography on society State Goal 18: Understand social systems State Goal 25: Know the language of the arts State Goal 26: Through creating and performing, understand how works of art are produced State Goal 27: Understand the role of the arts in civilizations, past and present The Field Museum Educator Guide Illinois State Standards Page 4

5 Introduction to the Exhibition A fearful black cloud was rent by forked and quivering bursts of flame, and parted to reveal great tongues of fire Darkness fell, not the dark of a moonless or cloudy night, but as if the lamp had been put out in a dark room. One of nature s most violent cataclysms was vividly described by Pliny the Younger, who survived the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79. But untold numbers were buried in its volcanic debris, and a vibrant, cosmopolitan society vanished overnight, while other societies sprang up in its place. Now the exhibition Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption brings this lost world to life. The exhibition, created by the Soperintendza Archeologica di Pompei, allows visitors to explore stories of Roman life captured on the eventful day in A.D. 79. Casts made from human remains show real people caught as they fled with their most prized possessions. Excavations past and present in the area around Pompeii have revealed hundreds of objects that have illuminated that inhabitants daily lives: gorgeous room-sized frescoes and mosaics, gold coins and precious jewelry, marble and bronze sculptures, and a variety of everyday household objects. Visitors will visit three sites devastated by the eruption, seeing for themselves how the inhabitants lived and died. Visitors will learn how volcanoes are born and how they wield their destructive power. Sealed in stone and frozen in time, Pompeii is rediscovered as visitors make new discoveries and uncover yet untold stories of eruption. This 10,000-square-foot exhibition features over 450 artifacts, including brilliantly colored frescoes, mosaics, coins, precious jewelry, terracotta vessel, marble and bronze sculptures, and household objects, along with casts of the victims. Works of art and everyday objects from tools and keys to silver tableware all serve to tell the stories of people and society in the cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis. You will see huge frescoes that decorated the rooms of homes, villas, inns, and shops. Other treasures include beautifully worked gold jewelry, including a striking pair of snake-shaped bracelets, a magnificent bronze gladiator s helmet and shin-guard, each of them decorated with scenes of gods, warriors, barbarians, and more. Another case holds a box of surgical instruments found next to a surgeon who had tried to save the tools of his trade and poignant casts of victims, including a family group two adults, a small child, and an infant who died together when their house collapsed on them. You will also see geological specimens recovered from past eruptions of Vesuvius. In addition to the 450+ artifacts, video presentations, theatrical lighting and authentic music add to the immersive experience transporting your students to the ancient site of Pompeii, Herculaneum and ancient Roman life. There is video just outside the exhibition that will capture the atmosphere through a montage of images that dramatically sets the stage for the exhibition. Some images included in this video are casts, frescoes, and the volcano itself. There is a brief narration in Italian with English subtitles. Register for a field trip today! Indicate your interest on your Field Trip Registration form. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and pre-registration is required. Mimmo Jodice / Soprintendenza per i Beni archeologici di Napoli e Caserta/ Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei The Field Museum Educator Guide Introduction to the Exhibition Page 5

6 PART ONE: Educator Guide by Exhibition Section Section 1: Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption Pompeii may be the city most commonly linked to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79, but the cataclysmic events of that year affected nearby towns just as violently: Herculaneum, Oplontis, and others. These towns were rich in architecture, advanced infrastructures, and exquisite works of art. The artifacts found there tell a vibrant story of an ancient Roman society, advanced in many ways, which simply disappeared. A generation after the eruption, Romans had gone back to their old way of life, and tales of Pompeii had become a part of local folklore. Underneath their feet lay the remains of homes and families, works of art, and animals that were so suddenly smothered by Vesuvius. Pliny the Younger s accounts of the eruption, sent to the historian Tacitus, tell a grim but detailed tale of destruction. Together with archaeological and volcanological data gathered from the area, Pliny s text has allowed scientists to reconstruct the events of this catastrophe. Around noon on August 24, Vesuvius began its assault, and the streets of Pompeii and the surrounding region began accumulating lapilli, or small pieces of solidified lava. Residents of the towns fled some further inland, and many towards the sea, which was too turbulent to navigate. By dawn of the following morning, the eruption had poured an avalanche of ash onto Herculaneum, Oplontis, and Pompeii. In this section of the exhibition, a 2-minute orientation slide show is located in the first gallery of the exhibition, which consists of slides. Guiding Questions 1. What is Vesuvius? Where is Vesuvius located? What nearby ancient communities settled near Vesuvius? What happened in A.D. 79? 2. How was Pompeii affected by the eruption? 3. Why do we know so much about these people? When was this region rediscovered? 4. What types of artifacts have been uncovered in this region? What can we learn from these artifacts? 5. How has the discovery of Pompeii affected the use of archeology in this region? 6. What types of artifacts will we see in the exhibition Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption? What can we learn from these artifacts? Pre-Activities 1. Start a K-W-L chart (see Appendix A) for Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption. What can students put on the K-W-L that they already know about Pompeii and/or Roman life? Ask students to brainstorm in small discussion groups what they want to learn about Pompeii and Roman life. 2. As a class, visit and listen to Pliny the Younger s eyewitness account of the A.D. 79 eruption. Ask students why they do or do not believe this is an accurate account of what happened. What questions were left unanswered by the author? And, if they could ask Pliny the Younger a question, what would they ask? 3. Have students compare the films Gladiator and Ben Hur. How do these sources influence their perception of Pompeii and ancient Roman life? Students should analyze the movie for perspective, purpose, and audience. 4. Working in groups of two to three, have students look at images from the Museum s Web site, Pompeii: Stories from the Eruption. Students should click on each artifact to learn more about the object. What kind of information can we learn from artifacts? What kind of information can t we learn from artifacts? The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 1: Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption Page 6

7 Section 1: Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption (continued ) Field Trip Activities 1. Ask students to come up with one or two questions they hope to discover in the exhibition, Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption. 2. From their initial observations, ask students to describe the Statue of Hera. What questions arise from their observations? 3. Have students sketch two or three of their favorite artifacts. What do these artifacts reveal about ancient Roman life or the eruption in A.D. 79? 4. Ask students to interpret a story about an artifact or character revealed in the exhibition Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption. Ask students to write their interpretation and why it is important to the exhibition. Post-Activities 1. Review the K-W-L. Check the knowledge the students started with. Have students work in groups to make lists about what they learned in the exhibition Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption and then add that to the K-W-L. 2. Explain to students that they will create a large drawing with assorted papers, markers, crayons, and magazine cutouts to illustrate a day in their own lives. 3. As a class, create an exhibition about daily life in their classroom. Choose artifacts illustrating a typical day and divide students into groups to create label text, videos, maps and other images to tell the story of the people and activities that occur. 4. Have students reflect on their own research on Pompeii and share their findings through a variety of media: research papers, live performances, video documentaries, and/or computer slide presentation. Answers to Guiding Questions 1. Vesuvius, situated on southern Italy s Bay of Naples, is commonly associated with the city of Pompeii, but Herculaneum, Oplontis, and Terzigno were also located on or near Vesuvius slopes. In A.D. 79 a cataclysmic volcanic eruption occurred destroying all who could not escape. 2. Pompeii was affected by the initial phase of the eruption. A rain of pumice pounded on rooftops, forcing residents from their homes and into the streets. Fleeing for safety, these fugitives were struck down by the volcano s toxic gases. 3. In 1711, men digging for limestone accidentally uncovered the ancient city of Pompeii. Since that first discovery, numerous archaeological excavations have revealed hundreds of objects that illuminate the inhabitants daily lives. This region continues to be excavated and new discoveries are still being made. 4. As a result of 200 years of excavations, archaeologists are able to draw detailed conclusions about ancient Roman life through uncovered artifacts. Plaster casts of human remains show real people caught as they fled with their most prized possessions. The victims frescoes, mosaics, jewelry, sculpture and other personal objects found in the ruins attest to the affluence of these communities. 5. Since the discovery of Pompeii, archaeologists have created systematic excavations of this region by recording the location and context in which artifacts are found. 6. Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption offers a glimpse into the conclusions made about the peoples, places and things destroyed by the cataclysmic events of A.D. 79. The artifacts on view allow visitors to make their own conclusions about ancient Roman life and the anatomy of a disaster. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 1: Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption continued Page 7

8 Section 2: Herculaneum Just over nine miles northwest of Pompeii lay the seaside resort of Herculaneum, home to nearly 5,000 residents. Some of Rome s wealthiest citizens had second homes here, where they could relax in the public baths that looked out on the sparkling ocean. Indeed, one of the most luxurious homes yet known in the Roman world was discovered in Herculaneum the Villa of the Papyri. Discovered by chance in 1750, the Villa rose high above the cliffs of the sea, with an ideal panoramic vista to the Bay of Naples and an expansive swimming pool. Among its many treasures, the Villa s library contained as many as 1,758 papyrus scrolls, including texts of the epicurean philosopher Philodemus of Gadara and some Latin texts. But even the grandeur of the Villa of Papyri was no match for Vesuvius rage. Herculaneum was mostly spared from the initial phase of the eruption on August 24 residents stared in shock at the column of gas and volcanic material that rose above Vesuvius, and were filled with anxiety when tremors shook the streets. But they remained in the city, uncertain what to do. Experts speculate that residents only began to flee the city in the late afternoon when the cloud rose so high that it blocked out the sun. By one o clock the next morning, the column collapsed, producing the first lethal surge a burning cloud of gas and ash that reached temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees F. Rolling along the flanks of Vesuvius, the volcanic material reached Herculaneum within minutes. In this section of the exhibition is one of the best Roman marble heads of the Classical period, a small drinking cup found in the Vesuvius area, a long gold chain necklace, a stunning gold ring, a wicker basket laden with silver and bronze coins, a soldier s iron dagger, and a pair of snake-shaped bracelets. Guiding Questions 1. Where is Herculaneum? What kind of town was it? 2. How did the eruption affect Herculaneum? Why was it impossible for residents to escape? 3. How did these events preserve bodies, organic materials, and buildings? 4. Why did so much gold and gold jewelry survive? 5. What can the artifacts and skeletal remains reveal about the people who lived in this area? Pre-Activities 1. Prompt students to write a modern-day myth explaining the occurrence of volcanoes. 2. Go to the National Weather Service s Internet Weather Source at to learn about the current weather conditions in modern day Napoli, near ancient Herculaneum. Ask student to create an ancient weather forecast for Herculaneum. 3. Check out Harris Loan s Home Sweet Home Experience Box and discuss the different houses found in various climates. Continue the discussion by asking students to guess what the different types of houses in Herculaneum might have looked like. Follow up discussion by comparing this list with types of houses found in the United States. 4. Distribute photocopies or printouts of the image of The Marble Head of the Amazon from the Museum s Web site. Ask students to impose a grid on top of the statue s face and, using the concept of scale and ratio, have students transfer the image to a larger piece of paper. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 2: Herculaneum Page 8

9 Section 2: Herculaneum (continued ) Field Trip Activities 1. Find examples of different Roman houses within the exhibition. In small groups imagine who might live in these houses, what their occupations were, and what their favorite pastimes might have been. 2. Investigate Herculaneum s arcades. What do students notice about the variety of artifacts found at these sites? What value did these artifacts possess for their owners? Ask students to record their impressions about the artifacts and draw conclusions about their use and the people who used them. 3. Allow students to choose and examine two to three pieces of jewelry found in Herculaneum. Have students identify and describe common icons and motifs found in the variety of women s jewelry. Post-Activities 1. The luxurious Villa of Papyri had an extensive library of over 1,758 texts, including the owner s favorite authors. As a class, visit your local school or public library and have students choose a book. Write a book report in the form of an ancient scroll. 2. Bathhouses represented and unified the Roman civilization. Ask students to research and identify the Roman rituals of bathing at In the United States, what customs unite us as a culture? What rituals do we as a nation share in common? 3. As a class read or listen to the Roman myths about Hercules. Discuss this hero s special powers and ask students to create and draw their own cartoon hero and comic strip. 4. Ask students to create 3D interpretations of the animals and myths reflected in the jewelry and sculpture found in Herculaneum. Students may express themselves using clay, wire, and glass beads. Have students title and label their pieces. Display their work around the classroom and ask students to share their process and why. 5. Have students create their own paper-mâché portraits, exhibiting craftsmanship and creativity in the face s details. Answers to Guiding Questions 1. Just over nine miles northwest of Pompeii, Herculaneum was a seaside resort. As a second home to some of Rome s wealthiest citizens, Herculaneum was filled with luxurious homes and public baths. 2. When Vesuvius erupted, Herculaneans were spared from the rain of pumice that fell on Pompeii and many lingered before fleeing the city. However, at about one o clock in the morning on August 25, the first of six pyroclastic surges swept over the city. These superheated clouds of ash and gas killed victims instantly before slower-moving pyroclastic flows sealed the victims beneath nearly 75 feet of rock. Residents who attempted to flee were immediately struck down by gas and ash. Once the first surge had abated, the city was buried under volcanic material extinguishing all life in the region. 3. The dynamic process in which the city was buried in numerous sporadic phases and the presence of groundwater in the area made it an ideal site for the preservation of organic material, like wood, fiber, and bone. 4. Because of its great value, gold was likely one of the first things Herculaneans grabbed as they fled their homes. Gold also has a chemically stable nature, making it easy to preserve and endure through the centuries in soil and ash. 5. Prior to the 1980s, most archaeologists believed that most of Herculaneum s residents escaped the eruption, but after a chance discovery of human remains along the coast that assumption was proven wrong. The remains found in Herculaneum show fugitives fleeing their homes, desperately grabbing their most valued possessions, before they too were struck down and buried in volcanic material. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 2: Herculaneum continued Page 9

10 Section 3: Oplontis and Terzigno On the outskirts of Pompeii lay thriving agricultural villas, whose owners commuted to them by day and returned to them by night. The Tabula Peutingeriana an early road map of the Roman Empire details the settlements that stretched continuously along the coast of Campania between Miseno and Sorrento, near Pompeii. Among these settlements are Oplontis and Terzigno. Oplontis is located about three miles from Pompeii, at the site of the present day town of Torre Annunziata. Between 1964 and 1984, systematic excavations at Oplontis unearthed several important villas, most notably Villa B, a house that is now known to be the Villa of Lucius Crassius Tertius. Inside the Villa, excavators found piles of jars called amphorae, which were known to hold goods such as wine, oil, and other agricultural products. Because of the presence of the amphorae, the building was thought to be a business center where agricultural goods were processed, and sold. Situated at the northern periphery of Pompeii, another territory, now the town of Terzigno, sat closest to Vesuvius. The rich volcanic soil in the area a remnant of previous eruptions made Terzigno an ideal site for cultivating wine grapes. Indeed, the layout of the complexes uncovered at the site, the presence of torcularia (wine presses) and wine storage chambers, and the proximity of agricultural land have made it easy to identify these sites as vineyards and farms. In this section of the exhibition you will discover a strongbox found in the peristyle of the house, a necklace of gold beads and emeralds, a silver mirror with a smooth circular reflective surface and club-shaped handle. In room 16 you ll view a fresco from the west wall and a fresco from the east wall that feature details of the infant Dionysus, and two gladiator s helmets and shin-guards that reflect gladiatorial games of Pompeii. Guiding Questions 1. Where were Oplontis and Terzigno located? What kind of towns were they? What benefit did living on or near a volcano have for these towns? 2. How were these areas affected by the eruption? How was their experience similar to Pompeii and Herculaneum? How did it differ? 3. Why is Vesuvius such a dangerous volcano? 4. What can an artifact, or lack of artifact, tell us about a victim? Why do archaeologists assign names and occupations to some victims? 5. How was the cast of the Girl from Oplontis created? How does this method differ from the plaster casts made of other victims? Pre-Activities 1. Visit the Museum s Web site and discover how The Field Museum acquired its collection from Pompeii. Learn more about the artifacts and frescoes from Boscoreale and visit The Art Institute of Chicago to see the amazing frescoes acquired by Edward Ayers in the1890s, the first President of The Field Museum and founder of Harvard, Illinois. 2. Have students use the classroom as an archeological site. Students can create a grid of the classroom s floor plan and systematically locate the objects in the room. Ask students to choose two or three objects and describe how they are used. 3. Prompt students to investigate the contents of their backpack, documenting and cataloging what they find. Collect students work and redistribute to another class or student. Ask this class or student to write a narrative of the possible identity of the backpack s owner. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 3: Oplontis and Terzigno Page 10

11 Section 3: Oplontis and Terzigno (continued ) Field Trip Activities 1. Gather information about the earthenware jars from the Villa of Boscoreale. What can we learn about the people who used these jars? Ask students to sketch a possible use or activity for these jars. 2. Gather your class around the strongbox. Ask them to think of three things that would have been stored in this box by it owner. Ask students to imagine what they would want to keep safe in a box like this. Post-Activities 1. Ask students to write a reflective narrative about the people in Oplontis and Terzigno and their life before the eruption. Students should include illustrations to help tell their story. 2. Ask students to imagine that, 2,000 years from now, archeologists are uncovering their home. What artifacts would they find and how would future archeologists describe the function and use of those objects? Students descriptions should identify the artifacts, place the artifacts into context, and identify any questions that the artifacts suggest. 3. As a class, create a time capsule of objects that illustrates life in Allow students to choose their object and tell the class why it should be included. Bury the capsule on school property and keep a record of its location, so a future class can discover it. Answers to Guiding Questions 1. An early road map of the Roman Empire details Pompeii s suburbs. Oplontis, a mid-size city known as a kind of business center was located three miles from Pompeii. Terzigno, an agricultural area, was located along Pompeii s northern periphery. The rich volcanic soil in the area a remnant of previous eruptions made these sites excellent for cultivating grapes and manufacturing wine. 2. Like Pompeii, residents of Oplontis and Terzigno began feeling the effects of the first phase of the eruption by mid-day on August 24. They felt the tremors, saw the volcanic column rise above Vesuvius, and quickly sought shelter from the thick rain of pumice. Oplontis and Terzigno finally fell victim to Vesuvius as the first volcanic s urge dropped incandescent, fast-moving clouds of material on the towns, killing those who had not fled. 3. Vesuvius is a dangerous volcano because as pressure builds up within, the result is a violent explosion of pyroclastic material from its vents. This material consists of ash, small volcanic pebbles called lapilli, lava, and toxic gases. 4. Many of the skeletons found in Herculaneum can be divided into two groups: those who had nothing with them possibly slaves; and those with money and jewels concealed in their clothing possibly wealthy villa owners, or thieves. 5. The Girl from Oplontis cast was created in 1984 using an experimental technique. Archeologists injected wax into the hollow cavity left behind by the girl s body. Once the wax figure was removed from the ground, a plaster mold was poured around it. The plaster mold was then filled with transparent resin, creating this cast. Unlike the plaster casting, this method can reveal the bone structure of the person, and any objects they had on them. Ministero per i Beni e le Attivitá Culturali - Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 3: Oplontis and Terzigno continued Page 11

12 Section 4: Pompeii Pompeii was considered a very large city for its time, and even more cosmopolitan than Rome, which was several days journey from Pompeii. Because of Pompeii s long and varied history of ownership, foreign influences such as the practice of Egyptian religious rites and the use of Greek architecture are evident everywhere in the city. It held administrative control over the neighboring suburbs, and was a center for trade in crops, wine, and olive oil. When Vesuvius erupted much of Pompeii was still recovering from the great earthquake of A.D. 62, and evidence of massive reconstruction efforts was found during excavations. Excavations as recent as 1999 during the expansion of the A3 autostrada, or highway uncovered some of the finest frescoes yet found in the region. These frescoes, found in the House of the Triclinia in Moregine, cover the walls of all three triclinia (literally, three-sided dining rooms). The frescoes were meant to enhance the dining experience for guests, and some experts speculate that this particular site may have been a travelers stop for Emperor Nero himself. An assortment of muses lines the walls, among them: Euterpe, Muse of Dance and tragic choruses; Clio, Muse of history; Calliope, Muse of lyric poetry; and others. In this section of the exhibition you see a variety of statuettes, a fresco and various artifacts such as an octagonal bronze inkpot, a single-wick bronze oil-lamp, a beautiful bronze dining couch, and a floor mosaic. Guiding Questions 1. Where is Pompeii located? What were some of the professions held by Pompeii s citizens? 2. What is a mosaic? 3. What is a fresco? What are the four styles of frescoes found in Pompeii? In Pompeii, where would you typically see frescoes? 4. What religion did people practice in Pompeii? How did the people of Pompeii practice religion? 5. What did the residents of Pompeii do for entertainment? Where would they go in the city to view such entertainment? Pre-Activities 1. Listen to the music of Synaulia, Ensemble DeOrganographia, Music of the Ancient Greeks, and imagine the noises of an ancient Roman town. As a class, list everything you think you might hear and everything you may not hear. For example you may hear a cart with wooden wheels drive by on a stone road, but you would not hear an airplane fly overhead. 2. Experience and analyze the pros and cons of a Roman dictatorship. At the beginning of the school day, select one student to serve as the dictator for the day. Allow him or her to make many decisions about the class routine. At the end of the day discuss students opinions about the experience and compare them to their experiences living in a democracy. 3. As a class, comprise a list of what students believe they already know about gladiators. Have students think of two to three questions they hope to discover in the exhibition about gladiators. 4. On the Museum s Web site view the frescoes from Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption and discuss the subject matter, the artistic process, and the techniques used to complete these art forms. 5. Locate murals in your neighborhood. You may find these images inside or outside a neighborhood post office or courthouse. Ask students why these images are there and what they think of them on public buildings. 6. As a class create a collective collage of images from their school and discuss what it says about the school s character and culture. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 4: Pompeii Page 12

13 Section 4: Pompeii (continued ) Field Trip Activities 1. In the format of a journal or diary entry have students record their first impressions and feelings about Pompeii and its artifacts. Before departing the Museum, have the class share their impressions and feelings with one another. 2. View the mosaic depicting Medusa s head. Discuss what myth is being told, why ancient Romans placed this image on the floor, and why the ancient Romans chose a mosaic, instead of a fresco, to tell this story. 3. Ask students to observe and list the varying colors depicted in the frescoes. As a class discuss what plants and minerals would be used to create these pigments. 4. Have students find similarities between the gladiator s helmet, shield, galerus and ocrea found in the Quadriporticus and a football player s helmet, shoulder pads, and jersey. Continue this discussion by finding similarities between a Roman style amphitheatre and Chicago s very own Soldier Field. Post-Activities 1. Read pre-selected excerpts from Mark Twain s Innocents Abroad. Ask students to compare their impressions of Pompeii and its artifacts with Mark Twain s impressions. 2. Have students create their own Roman-influenced mosaics using magazines, colored paper, and other recycled papers depicting an object or story. 3. One of Pompeii s taverns needs a new sign. Have students design a logo and sign to advertise the tavern s selection of food and beverages to local residents and the nearby naval base. 4. Arrange for an experienced muralist to come to your school and work with your students to create a mosaic wall mural in a public community space. 5. Ask students to imagine themselves as a participant at a gladiator game in Pompeii s Coliseum and write a personal account of the games. 6. As a class, compare the films Gladiator and Ben Hur. Ask students to choose one of the movies and write a paper defending or attacking its representation of gladiators and Roman life. Answers to Guiding Questions 1. The city of Pompeii lay at the base of Mt. Vesuvius. On August 24, A.D. 79, tens of thousands went about their business in shops that sold glassware, pottery, wine, produce, fish and cloth. The streets echoed with voices of farmers, carpenters, cleaners, boat builders, and gamblers. 2. A mosaic is an artistic design made of small pieces of colored stone and glass. In Pompeii, mosaics decorated floors in various motifs, such as the Medusa, who might provide protection from the evil eye. 3. A fresco is a painting that is created by applying pigments of color to a damp plaster surface. Based on the frescoes discovered in Pompeii, art historians have divided ancient Roman paintings into four styles. The first style reproduced the appearance of a wall of built stone or colored marble. The second style portrays actual architecture, painted in perspective, between which one can catch a glimpse of the landscape. The third style is divided into panels, in which a large mythical subject most often fills the central panel. The fourth style mixes elements from the second and third styles, but with greater diffusion of pictures in the center panel. Because there were few windows in most homes, frescoes decorated a home s interior walls. Often these frescoes enhanced a house s dining rooms, covering three walls. 4. Ancient Romans worshipped a pantheon of Greek, Egyptian, and eastern deities. Priests and priestesses oversaw rituals and rites where people presented these gods and goddesses with gifts and sacrifices. 5. Entertainment in Pompeii was announced on city walls. Their programs detailed the happenings in the theaters or sometimes the amphitheatre. Residents went to these large arenas to watch gladiators fight, box, or race. They also went to the theaters to watch theatrical presentations of comedies and tragedies. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 4: Pompeii continued Page 13

14 Section 5: Volcanism There is much to know about volcanoes and their eruptions before we can fully dissect the events of A.D. 79. Vesuvius is a stratovolcano, which are usually tall, mountainous volcanoes whose steep sides have been formed over time by repeated deposits of ash, lapilli, lava, and pyroclastic flows. Other types of volcanoes, such as the shield, cinder cone, and lava dome volcanoes, produce very different types of eruptions. Vesuvius eruption in A.D. 79 is categorized as a Plinian eruption, since Pliny was the first to document its shape and characteristics. Plinian eruptions are characterized by the pine-tree-shaped clouds that form above the volcano s crater, as well as the wide variety of hazardous materials ejected by the volcano (such as ash, poisonous gases, and lapilli). These eruptions occur when the vast plates beneath the Earth collide and send heated material in the form of magma through weak spots in the Earth s crust. Vesuvius sits on the edge of the Eurasian plate, which is in constant collision with the African plate, resulting in a great deal of volcanic activity. Indeed, Vesuvius erupted as recently as In order to provide advance warning for any impending eruptions, today its geologic activity is monitored around the clock. In this section of the exhibition is a 5-minute video with footage of active volcanoes and scenes from Pompeii today that examine the A.D. 79 eruption, and its effects. Guiding Questions 1. What are the four different types of volcanoes? What type of volcano is Vesuvius? What type of eruption occurred at Vesuvius in A.D. 79? 2. Why did this eruption occur? 3. How do geologists reconstruct the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius? 4. What is a pyroclastic surge? What is a pyroclastic flow? Pre-Activities 1. Go to the National Geographic Web site at and have students think of one or two questions about earthquakes and volcanoes. 2. Investigate the meaning of volcanology. First talk about what it might mean and then look it up. 3. Use the Web site, and have students plot recent seismic and volcanic activity on a world map. After plotting the data, ask students if there is a pattern to the location of earthquakes and volcanoes. Finally, compare the students maps to a world map with plate boundaries. You can also have students visit Vesuvius Observatory to learn how researchers are currently monitoring Vesuvius at 4. Ask students to study the effects of the 1980 Mt. St. Helens volcanic eruption on nearby communities by writing a historical timeline. The Field Museum The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 5: Volcanism Page 14

15 Section 5: Volcanism (continued ) Field Trip Activities 1. In small groups, look at the aerial view of Pompeii and watch the video located in the Pompeii section. Ask students to think of one question about the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius. 2. Have students touch the lava interactive and describe how it looks and feels. As a class, or in small groups, talk about the destruction caused by volcanic material, including volcanic ash and gases. 3. As a class or in small groups, talk about why archeologists creates casts of human figures. What can we learn from them? How are they used in revealing information about Roman daily life and the A.D. 79 eruption? 4. Encourage student to view the Museum s permanent exhibitions Traveling the Pacific and Moving Earth. Investigate the basics of earthquakes, volcanoes, and plate tectonics by witnessing the activities that occur in these exhibitions. Post-Activities 1. Simulate a volcanic eruption using empty film canisters and Alka-Seltzer tablets. Talk with student about the similarities of pressure building up in the empty film canisters and gases building up in Vesuvius to blow open a closed vent. 2. Create a movie poster of one of the four different types of volcanoes. Ask students to depict where, when, and how a volcano erupts. 3. Compare the eruption of Mt. St. Helens with the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius, then create a Venn diagram depicting the similarities and the differences. 4. Ask students to use the television drama, CSI s Web site, to learn more about the tools, evidence and procedures used by scientists to collect evidence and data from human remains. Of these procedures and tools, which would you use on the human remains/cast from Pompeii and what new evidence might you discover? Answers to Guiding Questions 1. Vesuvius is a stratovolcano, but other types of volcanoes include shield, cinder cone and lava dome volcanoes. All of these volcanoes produce different types of eruptions. Vesuvius eruption in A.D. 79 was named a Plinian eruption, since Pliny was the first to document its shape and characteristics. Plinian eruptions are characterized by the pine-tree-shaped clouds that form above the volcano s crater, as well as the wide variety of hazardous materials ejected by the volcano, such as ash, poisonous gases and lapilli. 2. These eruptions occur when the vast plates beneath the Earth collide and send heated material in the form of magma through weak spots in the Earth s crust. Vesuvius sits on the edge of the Eurasian plate, which is in constant collision with the African plate, resulting in a great deal of volcanic activity. 3. The A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius occurred in several phases, emitting a wide variety of volcanic debris and consequently leaving varying types of volcanic deposits. The layers of ash and tephra deposited by the eruption of Vesuvius in A.D. 79 vary in thickness around the region. By analyzing how thick the layers are, what type of volcanic material they contain, and how the deposits were distributed, geologists have been able to reconstruct the different phases of the eruption. 4. A pyroclastic surge is a mixture of searing gas and rock fragments that takes the form of a great cloud. This cloud moves easily up and over ridges and obstacles, and its effects are far-reaching in their devastation. A pyroclastic flow is a high-speed avalanche of hot ash, rock fragments, and gas, which traveled down the sides of Vesuvius. These flows can reach 1000 degrees F and move at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section 5: Volcanism continued Page 15

16 Section 6: Pompeii and Vesuvius Today Pompeii today is a tourist destination, but more importantly, is an ongoing archeological site. Pompeii continues to be one of the richest archeological sites on Earth, continually providing new discoveries, and Vesuvius remains a site of great scientific interest. Currently in a dormant phase, Vesuvius past eruptions help scientists understand other volcanoes and future eruptions. In this section of the exhibition is a virtual tour of Herculaneum and Pompeii. Journey to Pompeii gives visitors an accurate and evocative picture of how these places looked in A.D. 79 before and during the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius. Guiding Questions 1. Why do we continue to excavate this area today? 2. Can scientists predict when Vesuvius will erupt again? When will it happen and how big will it be? 3. What is the Italian government doing to prepare residents for another eruption? 4. Where in the U.S. would a possible eruption occur? Pre-Activities 1. Explore what archaeologists are studying in the region today. Ask students to collect data and research to help determine their findings. What laws have been put into place for historical sites like these and how does this affect the work of archaeologists? 2. Watch the PBS Nova special, Deadly Shadows of Vesuvius to learn more about the efforts by the Italian government to evacuate the region in case of another eruption. Have students make a list of procedures necessary to evacuate the area. 3. Study Pompeii as a tourist destination. Make travel plans to and from the area outlining the specific sites of interest. How long would it take you to get there? Why would you visit this area and what would you learn? Field Trip Activities 1. Before you enter the exhibition, ask students to think about the human stories being told throughout the exhibition. If this were to happen today, what item or things would they choose to take with them and why? 2. Identify the stories told in Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption. As a class think of a new story to tell about Pompeii. What artifacts would you include to illustrate this new story? 3. Ask students to rewrite history. What would they change about the A.D. 79 eruption and why? The Field Museum / Soprintendenza archeologica di Pompei The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section6: Pompeii and Vesuvius Today Page 16

17 Section 6: Pompeii and Vesuvius Today (continued ) Post-Activities 1. Ask students to create an evacuation plan for their homes. Students should include a map detailing the evacuation route. 2. Recent reports indicate that an abundance of tourists to Pompeii is causing the site to deteriorate. Write a paper that states whether or not you think people should be able to visit Pompeii. Why is conservation of this site so important? 3. Despite the efforts of the Italian government, people continue to reside in this very dangerous area. Have the class debate the two sides of this issue. Answers to Guiding Questions 1. Archeologists continue to excavate this region because the area still holds a plethora of uncovered artifacts. The artifacts may yield new insights into daily Roman life and or further the study of volcanoes. 2. Scientists cannot predict how big or when the next eruption will take place, but Vesuvius is an active volcano and will erupt again. 3. The Italian government has made a portion of Mt. Vesuvius into a national park to help stop further construction up its slopes. The government has also offered money to relocate individuals and families to a new location. For those unable or unwilling to relocate, the government has an extensive evacuation plan for the area. 4. Most active volcanoes found in the United States are in the Aleutian Islands, the Alaskan Peninsula, the Hawaiian Islands, and the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. The Field Museum The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 1 Section6: Pompeii and Vesuvius Today continued Page 17

18 PART TWO: Teacher and Student Resources Planning a field trip to the Museum? Download and print our field trip registration form at And be sure to register your students for one of these exciting opportunities during your visit. Just for Students Reconstructing Pompeii Uncover the fascinating culture and life of the ancient Romans, hidden under Vesuvius ashes for 2,000 years. Students will learn about the science of eruptions and what archaeologists have learned about Roman daily life through years of excavations. Tuesdays, November 1 March 21, 2006; 10am 1pm SOLD OUT Wednesdays, Jan 11 March 22, 2006; 10am 1pm $3 per Chicago student, $4 per non-chicago student Just for Teachers Want to learn more about how to use this fascinating exhibition in your classroom? Sign up now for these exciting professional development opportunities! Pompeii: A View from Vesuvius Uncover the buried treasures and human drama of the cataclysmic eruption of Vesuvius. You ll explore the vibrant society that disappeared beneath the ashes 2,000 years ago, view the exhibition and explore Museum resources and field trip activities by using our Educator Guide. Earn 3 CPDUs. Same Program Offered twice: Saturday, October 22, 2005 or Wednesday, January 11, 2006; 9am noon $40, members $35 Pompeii and the Environment Journey to the beautiful countryside around Pompeii and learn more about the natural environment before and after the eruption of Vesuvius. View the exhibition, take home classroom activities, and explore a variety of Harris Educational Loan resources. Earn 3 CPDUs. Wednesday, October 26, 2005; 5 8pm $40, members $35 The Field Museum Collections The excavations conducted at Pompeii have yielded a plethora of artifacts, and The Field Museum s own collections contain a number of fine objects from the region. These pieces were collected by one of the Museum s founders and greatest benefactors, Edward Ayer. For more information, visit: The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 2 Teacher and Student Resources Page 18

19 Teacher and Student Resources (continued ) Related Museum Exhibitions Traveling the Pacific The Moving Earth Related Harris Educational Loan Experience Boxes Shake, Rumble, and Roll Students can use a seismograph model in this hands-on Experience Box to find out how scientists study and learn about the causes of earthquakes and volcanoes. Volcanoes Kids will investigate different volcanic lava samples and find out how they were formed. They ll also see how volcanoes can give us valuable insight into Earth s constantly changing surface. Living Together: Shelter Explore the differences and similarities of homes and shelters around the world through this collection of activities, games, and maps. Kit includes a video as well as models of traditional Chicagoan, Native Southwest American, and Masai homes. For more information call or log onto Audio Visual Material Nova: Deadly Shadows of Vesuvius In Search of History: Pompeii Secrets Revealed The Private Lives of Pompeii In the Shadow of Vesuvius Online Resources of nature/pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/dynamic.htmlpubs.usgs.gov/gip/earthq1/ ENO.com (ENC provides the resources and support for math and science educators needed to help raise student achievement in these vital subjects. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 2 Teacher and Student Resources continued Page 19

20 Teacher Notes: Books for Teachers Amery, Colin The Lost World of Pompeii. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum Press. Canterella, Eva A Day in Pompeii. Naples: Electa Napoli. Chamberlain, Andrew and Micheal Parker Parson Earthly Remains: The History and Science of Preserved Human Bodies. New York: Oxford University Press. Cooley, Alison Pompeii. New York: Routlege. D Ambrosio, Antonio Women and the Beauty of Pompeii. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum Press. De Carolis, Ernesto Vesuvius, A.D. 79: The Destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum Press. Goodwin, Elaine M Italian Mosaic: Projects for Home and Garden Inspired by Roman Imagery. North Pomfert, VT: Trafalgar Square Pub. Jacobelli, Luciana Gladiators at Pompeii. Rome: L Erma di Brerschneider. Schminke, Hans-Ulrich Volcanism. New York: Springer. Sigurdsson, Haraldur Encyclopedia of Volcanoes. San Diego: Academic Press. Wallace-Hadrill, A Houses and Society in Pompeii and Herculaneum. Princeton, N.J. Princeton University Press. Zanker, Paul Pompeii: Public and Private Life. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Zeilinga de Boer, Jelle Volcanoes in Human History: The Far Reaching Effects of Major Eruptions. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press. Books for Students Bisel, Sara Louis Clark Secrets of Vesuvius. New York: Scholastic, Inc. Caselli, Giovanni In Search Of Pompeii: Uncovering a Buried City. New York: Bedrick Books. Connolly, Peter Pompeii. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Deem, James M Bodies from the Ash: Life and Death in Ancient Pompeii. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. Deiss, Joseph Jay The Town of Hercules: A Buried Treasure Trove. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Museum Press. Dennis, Peter Volcano. New York: Barron s. Griffey, Harriet Volcanoes and other Natural Disasters. New York: DK Publishing. Hart, Avery and Sandra Gallagher Ancient Rome: Exploring the Culture, People and Ideas of this Powerful Empire. Charlotte, VT: Williamson. McIntosh, Dr. Jane Archaeology. Twain, Mark Innocents Abroad. New York: Bantam Books. The Field Museum Educator Guide: Part 2 Teacher Notes continued Page 20