Wooden furniture of Herculaneum preserved from Vesuvius

Wooden furniture is rarely preserved in excavations of Roman sites. An exception is the material from Herculaneum. Usually, these items are not on display, but on the occasion of a new exhibit, we are now able to examine the world of carpentry through these objects of everyday life- and many other artifacts- rarely preserved from Antiquity. A truly unique collection of artwork from ancient Herculaneum.
Recommended Tours:
Rome fas.st/t/iPdm9X2P
Pompeii fas.st/t/84xubN8T
More about Ancient Rome Live:
Travel Experiences ancientromelive.org/courses
Newsletter ancientromelive.org
Donate tinyurl.com/AncientRomeLive
Instagram: / ancientromelive
Twitter: / ancientromelive
Facebook: / ancientromelive
Check out Darius Arya on KZbin / @dariusarya
This content is brought to you by The American Institute for Roman Culture (AIRC), a 501(C)3 US Non-Profit Organization. romanculture.org
0:00 Introduction
2:00 Fabri
2:43 small boat
3:15 Telephos relief wooden coffered ceiling (recently discovered)
3:57 bed, table, crib, bench
5:28 Lararium shrines
6:50 Idols, wax tablet, coin purses
7:56 Recent finds from the Villa of the Papiri (inlaid ivory); trunk

[@Nanakanisurra]

Oh Lord Almighty, that is some beautiful work by the ancestors. Pride in craftsmanship.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

As a woodworker myself seeing all those treasures is serious treat. Those intricate tesselations are gorgeous and I will definitely be watching this video again many times for inspiration. Thank you so much Darius for making this material available! 🤯❤

[@AncientRomeLive]

So nice to have so many comments from those of you with real experience. There are a few key publications on the subject, but seeing these articles for the first time was a real treat! Herculaneum still offers a lot of wood on site, as you saw from the video. So, please visit! We are sorry for the reflection in the images, but as you noted, it's for preservation (and there is a temperature/ humidity control device inside as well).

[@Chuck8541]

It's quite something to see. We often see marble statues and cast metal things like that...but actual wood someone was delicately carving, and carefully placing almost 2000 years ago....it's amazing to see. I doubt those ancient woodworkers thought their creations would be admired 2k years later!

[@Art-is-craft]

Some of those pieces are on a par with the regency period.

[@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156]

@@Art-is-craft Oh man, absolutely. Absolutely. And keep in mind that the best pieces are long gone. It gives me pain in ways I didn't know existed.

[@Art-is-craft]

@@hugodesrosiers-plaisance3156 Study renaissance furniture and architecture to see how they revived their culture.

[@lenwenzel7440]

While I enjoy seeing what an ancient city was, what blows me away is the immensely monumental task it was to excavate an entire city, while keeping each of the structures safely intact. Then there is the delicacy of the task with mosaics, paintings, toys, and furniture. On top of that there is the disposal of the removed material while thoroughly searching it for fragile objects. It completely blows my mind.

[@fredyair1]

These everyday artifacts, so well preserved, like the crib, provide us an emotional connection with the people of the ancient world, they were just like us, living their lives surrounded by their daily comfort, their tools, their families. It's just amazing.

[@PerspectiveEngineer]

Cool !

[@FRAME5RS]

So true. Except for going down to the arena to watch two gladiators fighting to the death (like we are any different with video games and movies). Literally the same.

[@fredyair1]

@@FRAME5RS American "football" , box, MMA, etc, kills it's participants a little bit at a time and they usually retire crippled , so, no so different than Gladiators.

[@FRAME5RS]

@@fredyair1 True story. I’d never be able to watch them slaughtering animals in the colosseum, but the water battles might have been cool.

[@watermelonlover745]

This stuff looks like it was made in USA very recently. Absolutely amazing

[@keizerwoodworks]

I got so inspired by this, that i actually made the tessalated table and filmed my first ''real'' youtube video. I just uploaded it, i hope some of you reading stumble upon it:)

[@FlexibleFlyer50]

I am struck by the variety of woods used to make furniture and decorative items. The level of craftsmanship could rival handmade pieces today. Such sophistication! Just amazing that these items were able to survive the centuries so we could see them.

[@Alfie-ft3bx]

I don’t even think we have that level of craftsmanship today

[@DeuceGenius]

They knew a ton about all the natural resources around. And there was no television 😊 you'd be surprised what the average person could make if they had nothing but time and boredom. Just look at the stuff prisoners make.

[@heathercaulberg7733]

@@Alfie-ft3bx Came here to say that. My husband is a wood turner and a joiner, and most of the clients we do jobs for say they can’t get people to do standard, everyday jobs anymore because making things like staircases and cabinets are out of their realm now due to industrialization leading to people just not learning the craft anymore. There’s a huge myth that ancient=unskilled and it’s really the opposite. 😊

[@kevinpittman2517]

in alot of ways their things were superior... they had more time on their hands to craft these luxurious items...

[@DeuceGenius]

@@heathercaulberg7733 it's the techniques that are learned and knowledge passed down for so many generations. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

[@jeannerogers7085]

I found Herculaneum more evocative than Pompeii - man6 buildings survive to two stories, and everything had a "frozen in time" feel. It was January, 20 years ago, raining like crazy. All the corner fountains were running, and in one grand house, water was falling from the little gargoyle heads around the atrium roof into the impluvium below.

[@Gun5hip]

That crib story was so sad and so human you can imagine people today bunching together trying to comfort eachother in their last moments.

[@justdoingitjim7095]

As a retired Craftsman and Master Carpenter, I can appreciate the skills required to do such intricate work! Those "wallets" were especially intriguing, because I've made numerous similar items for jewelry boxes and funerary urns! All of my pieces were hand cut and assembled with ZERO metal fasteners of any kind! I only used wooden pegs and hand cut dovetail joints and glue! I dare say the tools I used were probably a lot better quality that what these Craftsmen used, which makes their work even that much more appreciated!

[@AncientRomeLive]

We appreciate your insights and comments. Probably better to have called it a coin box- rather than a wallet! We wish we could have shown how the mechanism actually worked. Certainly very showy- more than a simple moneybag.

[@markholroyde9412]

@@kevin02mulder You do know folk can still do it today....you just dont know them LOL.

[@markholroyde9412]

@@kevin02mulder The "Roman spirit" in this case has been invented by Modern Man that must put a value on everything...it cost nothing to make and was thrown together just as a "job"...no pats on the back needed unlike snowflakes today that want a reward for getting out of bed, it was "just" life mate, blown all out of proportion 1000s years later through greed.,. people want to copy a "piece of crap" thrown together back then for the owner.... who had the need for a "table"....and he got.... a "Table" 🤣 surprisingly enough, 🤣 no more than that ..fake "values"

[@missourimongoose8858]

You should lookup the viking ship making tools that they found preserved in a bog

[@markholroyde9412]

@@missourimongoose8858 Would love to, is there a link for that would you know?

[@peterreston6478]

Truly amazing. The wooden furniture makes it much easier to relate to the lives of the Romans and illustrates how similar they were to ourselves. Thank you very much.

[@AncientRomeLive]

So true!

[@PLS.54]

This is indeed the FIRST time I’ve seen any video showing the wooden structures and furniture found at Herculaneum! The craftsmanship on these items is incredible. Definitely not your average IKEA merchandise 😂 This was fascinating.

[@silva7493]

The gobsmacking artistry and workmanship of bygone days ...

[@josephhaack5711]

Thanks for the video! My grandfather was a furniture maker in Michigan late 1800s, early 1900s. Some of the same joinery techniques were used

[@AncientRomeLive]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@mikki3961]

Thank you! Rather emotional seeing the everyday objects used by these people frozen in time. This is a historical site yes, but it is also a tragedy.

[@florete2310]

Wow, ... this is truly amazing. Those conservators did one hell of a job. They must excel at playing puzzles. Think about it... All those shreds lying about and yet they were able to recreate all this. Really amazing. Thanks for sharing. Humanity is still capable of doing great things. This made my day

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you!

[@ProfezorSnayp]

I love the wooden artifacts more than the marble sculptures because of their fragility.

[@november151956]

I was a furniture maker for 25 years and watching this video impressed on me how similar the Roman furniture looks to the style of furniture I made.

[@MartinD9999]

As a collector, I try to find items just like these-items that very rarely survive decomposition or destruction. I’ve amassed a collection of fossils, figurines, jewelry and pottery, but wood is very hard to find and expensive for obvious reasons. This video was definitely a treat. Thanks for sharing.

[@fieracarmen4713]

Este trist ce sa întâmplat la Pompei și Herculaneum,dar este bine pentru omul modern de astăzi să vadă lumea din trecut, să vadă obiecte și locuri care au aparținut cândva unor oameni ca noi!

[@Breakfast_of_Champions]

It was a tragedy almost 2000 years ago, but... everything and everybody will eventually meet their fate, and we are getting a mindblowing time capsule. Thank you so much for these reports!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Our pleasure!

[@MihaiMezel]

mind blowing, I love old stuff, but this stuff made out of wood and so well preserved i have never imagined existed, there must be more out there

[@AncientRomeLive]

Yes!!

[@kevinpittman2517]

makes u realize how beautiful the world around them appeared and how much they actually had in their modern contemporary technology... everything seemed to be very ornate and crafted with a sort of pride....

[@Materialworld4]

Thank you Darius for sharing those extraordinary examples of woodworking in antiquity. As someone who has designed and crafted furniture, and home decor out of wood those examples were a testament to the craftsmen's design aesthetic, and craftsmanship.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Many thanks! We are so pleased that so many people with woodworking backgrounds are enjoying the site. It underlines just how much the ancient world can engage professions of today.

[@KonradAdenauerJr]

Many thanks for this presentation; I've been fascinated by the Herculaneum archeological findings since I was a kid, and this video brings so many to life.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you enjoyed it. It is a truly unique site. Even more impressive than Pompeii, as shown by the wooden objects. And the new discoveries of the papyri scrolls from the adjacent villa are stunning as well. It will continue to yield its secrets as it becomes more accessible. See the underground theater video on @dariusarya KZbin.

[@ghostfifth]

The ancient world is forever intriguing

[@RicassoST]

Wow, romans really had impressive craftsmanship 😳

[@jamesleyda365]

Absolutely awesome! I'll never understood how many people have no interest in this, in their history, the history of mankind, everything that it comes with.... our magnificently beautiful story 🔥🤘🔥

[@franksmodels29]

Shows you the craftsmanship of ancient craftsman they created works that today would be hard pressed to make.. open your eyes people to the past..

[@_hunter_hunter1048]

Better and more durable than what people make today

[@emperorofpluto]

Wow. Spectacular. The wooden lararium is very similar to a Japanese butsudan, a household shrine used by Buddhists.

[@mariemorgan7759]

I love the kitty there. I always see videos on Pompeii, but hardly any on Herculaneum. The baby's crib was sad to see that the parents and baby did not survive. Thank you for these videos,very interesting.💕🌹

[@InFamousProductions]

as a former cabinet maker, I have to say, it looks they they had machines to do some of the work. like the bevels on some of the tables. that would be made with a router. that is , a spinning piece of metal to make uniform even bevels. I can't imagine how they would do that by hand so perfectly. even in the super distorted condition , you can see that at one time, these were masterpieces of woodworking.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you for sharing your win experiences!!!

[@stefflus08]

I can imagine it. People use hand tools today as well.

[@samuelbarham8483]

Before routers, we used moulding planes (for edges), and for rabbets and dados we used router planes. No need for spinning bits, I think? Consider the incredible work the master cabinetmakers do at Williamsburg (e.g.).

[@rivercityrampage252]

Eh? You can use regular hand tools. It's not black magic

[@ranulf8477]

They used metal sawing tools too but moved by hand. Its not that difficult to build a wooden kind of machine for it. You have to visit some of this cities some days. Its like a modern city but 2000 years ago. They also had running water everywhere and a sewer system. Fountains in the rich houses and everything you can imagine.

[@Mithras444]

Those tiny god and goddess statues are very realistic, and I bet kids played with them, they are too cool.❤😊

[@AncientRomeLive]

Also religious items!

[@josephhaack5711]

This and Austia Antica among my favorite ruins

[@AncientRomeLive]

We will get back to Ostia for more updated videos!

[@josephhaack5711]

@@AncientRomeLive the best part of Ostia is it is usually empty of people!

[@williewonka6694]

Thank you for the tour of wooden Roman artifacts. It was fabulous to see such treasures. Never heard of wooden coin purses in Rome before, and to see one still in working condition was a treat.

[@YeshuaKingMessiah]

I love the coffered ceiling with WOOD Then inlaid with wood in the interior! What a cool idea! I could literally do this No drywalling needed

[@chaeyeonieearts]

seeing those woodworks is inspiring me oml

[@timcent7199]

Delightfully hosted tour and eloquently produced video. Thank you

[@TWOCOWS1]

The information you provide is priceless, Darius. Truly priceless. i guess your programs are the only one that are scholarly and scientific, but presented easy enough for the public to understand,, AND so fanstatically uptodate. I do not complement people on KZbin that often, and pretty critical in fact. So, yours are the plleasant exceptions. Thanks

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you! We really appreciate it. Our goal is to take advantage of up to date exhibits and archaeological activities in Rome and Italy (then rest of empire when possible) and share the content with a wide audience (students, teachers, travelers, those that can’t travel). As funding increases we will be able to offer more series, also geared to different groups (elementary- middle school, high school, and more).

[@TWOCOWS1]

@@AncientRomeLive Thank you. I look forward to them. One day, hopefully, Darius could visit the Roman walls and ruins in France, Beligium and Germany. It would be grand

[@marienash826]

Is this still open? Everywhere online says it ended December 2023. I'm visiting Naples in June and would love to see this exhibition.

[@roiq5263]

The structure of the houses and the town is indistinguishable from any town built before the XX century anywhere in southern Europe. Astonishing.

[@mellow5123]

Amazing. I love the little shrines. I never have seen, heard, or thought of them before. So nice.

[@InFltSvc]

Simply fascinating! I hope I get to come over there to see these things before I die. It’s literally a Time Machine surely to be treasured for generations to come and MUST be maintained to do so. Very important that we preserve these items.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Huge ongoing conservation effort on these pieces.

[@TheDreamtimezzz]

Thank you. Great to see

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@wartem]

Amazing. The world's oldest known wooden structure was discovered in Zambia and dates back around 476,000 years. Another ancient wooden artifact is the Shigir Idol, a 9-foot tall wooden sculpture found in a Russian peat bog. Recent analysis has dated the Shigir Idol to around 12,500 years old. Additionally, archaeologists have discovered evidence of olive wood in ancient Egyptian settlements dating back to around 2551-2523 BCE

[@TheLobohobo]

For quite some time Herculaneum is so much more interesting than Pompeji. There is so many things waiting for the Interested! ☝🏻😎

[@oceantree5000]

Absolutely incredible. It’s a little breathtaking to think how much of the ancients’ work- architectural, literary, etc- is lost due to it having been produced in perishable materials. Entire civilizations in the Amazon basin, for instance. I mean, how much of our own tech is imperishable? How much is made of wood, or paper, or is subject to water damage? All the above makes the continued existence of artifacts like these even more amazing.

[@33Donner77]

Thanks. The movies always depict Ancient Rome as marble and metal, but there was probably far more wood used that didn't survive, as you've mentioned.

[@johnnyboyvan]

I loved Herculaneum much more than Pompeii. Been twice and 3 times in Pompeii.

[@seamus6994]

Incredible! To me, what is so surprising is much of the furniture looks like many modern pieces. Looking at the cradle, it is very much like a cradle that could be used today. Amazing how these wooden products survived so well. Great video, thanks so much. Liked and Subbed.

[@paoloviti6156]

I been many times in Naples for business. It is curious that although I visited Pompeii often I never been in Herculaneum as I never have to never have time to visit it. Shame on me! I must go there! Thanks for sharing this very interesting video 👍 👍👍

[@rand26100]

Unlike Pompeii, there is no parking for tour buses at Herculaneum. To get to Herculaneum, you need to take a taxi.

[@massimosquecco8956]

overwhelmed by your report! Thanks!

[@denamathews2363]

Cant believe the craftsmanship.... Wow.

[@edwardhamm5535]

As a designer these objects satisfied a wish to understand the daily life of ancient Rome.

[@fordsrestorations970]

Yes sir, I've been a woodworker and Antique conservator preservationist restoration all my life "now this video is certainly got my attention" , because you're right we hardly ever see wooden furniture to survive Through this amount of Time.

[@RP-mm9ie]

thanks

[@nannynan5893]

This was fantastic eye candy, and the cat made it even better, thank you!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you. Gotta love those 🐈

[@sc2320]

Darius is the boy when it comes to Ancient Rome kidd 💯💪🏻

[@gregorykinsey8135]

Thanks very much for this video! This is an incredibly well done presentation of tremendously important objects.

[@alexos8741]

Incredible, I imagined they used little bags to carry the coins. And that cat seemed alive, the level of conservation is impressive.

[@rdleahey]

This video presentation is FABULOUS! I can’t wait to take it all in again on my big screen HDTV! Thank you!

[@DonariaRegia]

If I recall correctly the praetorian found on the shore was a carpenter as evidenced by the tools found with him. Why he was carrying them is speculative but I imagine he had them to make repairs to boats to hasten escape.

[@Art-is-craft]

Tools would have been super valuable in that era. It would be like people carry their financial information today.

[@watersipper1116]

@@Art-is-craft I agree. Hard to get new ones. You don't leave behind that which supports your livelihood.

[@kamalakrsna]

Naaa... no time to repair anything - he had them because that is how he earned a living - if he had survived / made it to his next place to live. He could start working /earning. IMHO

[@DonariaRegia]

@@Art-is-craft He traveled from the other side of the bay of Naples (where the praetorian were stationed) to rescue people waiting on the shore. He brought the tools with him.

[@michaelgabriel7919]

I went to Herculaneum and saw a few of these artifacts. My favorite was the fresco showing a domestic scene from a house... and sitting next to it in the museum... is the table depicted in the fresco... carbonized but clearly the same table. AMAZING! I am planning my next trip back to Italy soon... because even after two trips... I still want to see more.

[@thatoneguy7191]

Great museum experience from your video!

[@skyedog24]

Very interesting I worked with wood professionally for about 10 years and it's amazing to see that the level of understanding of wood joinery is alive and well thousands of years ago.

[@Tugela60]

A lot longer than that. Sophisticated woodwork would go back to neolithic times.

[@stefflus08]

Yes it really eclipses the understanding of 99.99% of today's professionals

[@brcron007]

WOW thanks for sharing some amazing history that survived the eons. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@IHScoutII]

BEAUTIFUL

[@stevehammel2939]

This video was quite a treat, thanks for sharing!

[@matthewoakley2886]

Those box wallets are so haunting. People literally tried to buy their lives with those. Crazy

[@felipericketts]

Wow, that was amazing! One can almost imagine how people lived, what was important to them, and even their fear as the eruption engulfed them. Thanks for telling this story! 🙂

[@w.d.g.]

@13:00 around there... your descriptions of the reveal, the anticipation, the fans, the uncovering of clues. Such a great time to be alive, be an adult, be immersed. Nowadays, we're fed dog terds in paper bags and told they're gold bars by Disney and d.e.i. directors

[@Xezlec]

I'm all for appreciating their greatness to a degree, but before praising the ancients too fawningly, please bear in mind you would have most likely been a slave. Most of the people were slaves at the time. You are seeing artifacts here from the houses of the richest of the rich. Modern western civilization does have a few accomplishments under its belt to be proud of.

[@KathrynsWorldWildfireTracking]

4:19 - Pause here. You can see the Greek Key Link pattern - still popular today. On buildings, stationary (as border,) and even necklaces/bracelets. It's technically a type of swastika pattern - but all a swastika meant in the ancient past was "protection & good fortune." Some people "just like the look." May have been nothing more than that. Design choice. But, for the superstitious (and Romans in general were VERY superstitious!) it's an important way to magically protect the person using the furniture/bed. Since the wood carving is so rough - one can guess the wood portion was not meant to be seen. It likely supported a LAVISH inlay or layer of ivory for the white pattern, and perhaps a stark, contrasting black onyx background. Or - perhaps it was colored! Any precious stone from travertine to amethysts could have been the background for the pattern. Exquisite! Ty for this video. How amazing this has survived. Can't wait to find out where the wood came from. I'm sure some tests could tell if it was local, European, or exotic. Perhaps imported from Africa.

[@labibbidabibbadum]

Thanks for the video - I'm so annoyed that Herculaneum was "closed" for three days when I went to see it. I rocked up about 12 times to get in... no info available, just a "no no no". I'd been to Pompeii twie before but desperately wanted to see Herculaneum. Now I want to see it even more! So, that's a return trip for sure. Thanks particularly for speaking in a normal voice and just describing matter-of-factly what you're showing, and not speaking like you're doing a trailer for a horror movie, like they do on the Dumbscovery Channel.

[@quentinholmes8667]

This is great. I was just there but didn’t know about the furniture was in a place to be viewed. Great video.

[@AncientRomeLive]

Our pleasure.

[@sammynoseberg7847]

Yet another fantastic video!

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thanks again!

[@michaeldriskell2038]

Thank you for sharing this! Things I've never seen!!! 😊

[@PackFan2323]

Just amazing, fascinating. I need to visit Herculaneum. I did see Pompei in 2013. But once is never enough.

[@WiseSnake]

Those wooden wallets are really neat.

[@davidolien2828]

You are a treasure. Thank you for your vids

[@AncientRomeLive]

So nice of you

[@dbrown9495]

This is a walk through the past, another era in time. And and an ancient world. So intriguing to see artifacts thousands of years old.

[@CigarAttache]

Incredible.

[@normgustafson4525]

Wow, such treasures! Thanks for posting.

[@chrisdooley1184]

Absolutely love this channel and your videos ❤

[@TheOdsd1977]

I appreciate the enthusiasm, they are preserved spectacularly well, that's true. But to say that they seem like they were made "yesterday" is too much, at least for me.

[@toi_techno]

Wow Never seen these before

[@user-uz2op6og3l]

Enjoyed the Master Class and now a video with more explanation of the wood. Wonderful!

[@debbralehrman5957]

This is wonderful video. Thank you.👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@robharris8844U]

Beautiful craftsmanship and showing that talent and quest for beautiful objects is not just a goal of the last couple of centuries.

[@jacobrocks7]

Incredible..thank you

[@johnpick8336]

Outstanding presentation tha k you for posting!

[@charlesbeaudelair8331]

Great! Thank you very much for the video!!!

[@sevenirises]

This is amazing! Thank you so much.

[@speakupriseup4549]

Absolutely magnificent ❤❤❤

[@AncientRomeLive]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@karinschild9020]

You bring it to life very nicely; thank you :)

[@AncientRomeLive]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@xikimunki735]

great video. thank you!!!

[@calikid4253]

Thank you

[@Szopki2]

Great history. Great cat!

[@snowcreek7156]

Thank you for posting this! I had no idea how advanced these folk were at metallurgy, it’s just so incredible.

[@diannshoemaker6419]

You see architectural ruins, swept clean of their original suroundings and trappings. Maybe an isolated part of a home at a dig. And you think that there had to be so much more to their lives than these barren relics. All the little things that you have in your daily life, some practical, some for decor. Some little personal treasures. Something "just for nice" on a shelf. So you are thinking did they have things sort of similar, or is our experience far off from anything they knew.?? But all those things are always long gone. Even the fabulous find of King Tut, was somebody's tomb, not their living existence, not daily life. Piled up for effect, not function. But here are people's daily lives, left in an instant. Some as fresh and bright as last week. A childs crib, remarably a twin of something bought last week, as though to say a baby's needs will always be the same... Their love of decoration ..walls, floors, ceilings. The thought and care someone spent on a public room, like any wife hoping to impress.guests. Their love of colour, design.The little niceties, even of structure, that make life easier, better. All those things so usually missing, that would make people's lives real ...are here. But it is devestating that a real city so obviously georgeous and alive, built with such love and care, was blotted out in a day. Still, at least their legacy of beauty remains.

[@Eirien87]

it's so fascinating! thanks for sharing :)