The story of Pompeii, the Roman town frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, continues to hold us captive. This Friday, Channel 5 presents a new approach to understanding this historic tragedy. “Draining Pompeii: Secrets Beneath the Ash” takes a forensic look at the victims of the disaster, uncovering new details about their lives and final moments.
The documentary focuses on a specific group of victims, known as “the Fugitives.” For the first time, forensic experts get the chance to examine these remains, using X-ray technology to reveal their ages, the injuries they sustained, and the artifacts they carried with them – everything from everyday sandals to precious jewelry.
But the central question remains: why couldn’t these people escape? What circumstances kept them from fleeing the onrushing volcanic destruction? “Draining Pompeii” seeks to answer these questions, adding another chapter to our understanding of this enduring historical mystery.
The documentary airs this Friday, 23 May at 9:00 PM on Channel 5.
