Plaster casts have long been an essential tool for archaeologists, particularly when it comes to preserving the remains of ancient sites and artifacts. While the technique of creating plaster casts dates back centuries, it became especially prominent in the study of ancient Roman sites, such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, where the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE preserved the cities under layers of volcanic ash. This article explores the historical use of plaster casts by archaeologists and their continued significance in modern archaeology.
The Origins of Plaster Casting in Archaeology
The process of creating plaster casts, or impressions, was first developed as a way to preserve the shapes of objects, buildings, and even human remains found at archaeological sites. In its earliest uses, plaster casting was employed by artists to create replicas of important sculptures or reliefs. However, its application in archaeology proved to be invaluable, particularly in sites where ancient structures, organic materials, or human forms were otherwise destroyed or difficult to preserve.
The first use of plaster casts in archaeology can be traced back to the mid-19th century, particularly with the excavation of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE buried these cities under several meters of ash and pumice, effectively freezing them in time. As the organic matter, such as wood, food, and even human bodies, decomposed over time, the voids they left behind in the ash became a unique opportunity for archaeologists.
The Discovery of Human Plaster Casts in Pompeii and Herculaneum
The technique of using plaster casts to preserve human remains was pioneered by the archaeologist Giuseppe Fiorelli in the 1860s during his excavations at Pompeii. When archaeologists discovered voids in the ash that had once contained human bodies, Fiorelli realized that by pouring liquid plaster into these voids, they could create a perfect replica of the body that had been trapped by the volcanic eruption.
Fiorelli’s method involved carefully pouring plaster into the voids and allowing it to harden. Once the plaster solidified, archaeologists would remove the surrounding ash, revealing a detailed and often strikingly lifelike cast of the individual, complete with the position they had assumed at the moment of death. These plaster casts offer a poignant and intimate glimpse into the final moments of the victims of Vesuvius, preserving their physical forms and the expressions on their faces.
Since Fiorelli’s time, plaster casting has been used extensively in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other archaeological sites affected by volcanic eruptions. It has allowed researchers to preserve not only human bodies but also animals, furniture, and other organic materials that might otherwise have been lost to time shutdown123