Excavations at Pompeii using child labour, 19th-century artwork. Pompeii was a Roman city that had been destroyed by a volcanic eruption from Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. It was rediscovered in 1748 and excavation continues today. Although little treasure has been found at Pompeii, the city provides an invaluable view of everyday Roman life. Much of the unexcavated city lies under the spoil piles of previous archaeological work. This wood engraving dates from circa 1897.