The Buried City: Unearthing the Real Pompeii

by Gabriel Zuchtriegel

The director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park offers a vivid view of daily life in the lost city, shares the latest discoveries, and reflects on preserving heritage.

In The Buried City, Gabriel Zuchtriegel takes us on a behind-the-scenes tour of Pompeii and reveals new archaeological finds that are being unearthed at the site’s biggest dig in a generation. As director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, Zuchtriegel presents a uniquely intimate perspective on this city that was tragically destroyed and frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. Among the ruins, we find unmade beds, dishes left drying, and bodies of victims encased in ash, but Zuchtriegel shows that we’ve only begun to understand this fascinating place, as a third of the site remains unexcavated.

Zuchtriegel leads us into the heart of the city, reconstructing Pompeii as it would have been, showing us who lived there, what mattered to them, and what happened in their final hours. The Buried City reveals the latest discoveries unearthed at Pompeii—including a banquet hall with murals of Greek gods, a fresco of what appears to be a pizza, and the remains of individuals crushed by debris—all buried for almost two thousand years. Zuchtriegel offers a vivid portrait of this World Heritage site as a vibrant and diverse city, connecting us to a past that is much closer than we think and inviting us to reflect on our role as keepers of the site and its history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Archaeology, Ancient History, Audiobook, Italy, Travel

256 pages, Paperback

First published April 27, 2023

Reviews

[LPosse1 Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Review of Buried City by Gabriel Zuchtriegel

Oh my goodness, there are so many great archaeology-themed books I’ve read this year, and Buried City is definitely one of them. Not quite as good as Embers of the Hand, but a bit better than Dinner with King Tut.

Gabriel Zuchtriegel, the director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to this book. At its best, Buried City shines when he focuses on the incredible discoveries his team has uncovered—the descriptions of frescoes, artifacts, and daily life frozen in time are simply breathtaking. I found myself wishing he had spent even more pages in this lane.

Where the book loses a little steam is in the sections where Zuchtriegel digresses into topics like high school dance classes or critiques of the media. Those moments distracted me from what I really wanted: more about the ruins themselves. Stick to the frescoes, please!

That said, I still loved this book. I’m a sucker for anything published by University of Chicago Press, and this one didn’t disappoint. Reading it has me even more excited for our upcoming family trip to Pompeii in early 2026—I can’t wait to walk the streets I’ve now read so much about.

A solid 4 stars.

[Fred Jenkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book thinking it would be about Pompeii, which is at best partially true. There is some very good content on Pompeii, about Dionysus murals, for example, and about calculating the population of the ancient city. But a great deal of space is spent on Zuchtriegel talking about himself; his career, his family, his beliefs about archaeology and other things. A long digression on the Elgin Marbles, which had nothing to do with the price of bread. At times it seems to be self-justification or even confessional. I was educated in a much more austere brand of classics; I knew little about most of my professors' personal lives or their political beliefs. They stuck to their subject and that is how it should be.

I suppose that Zuchtriegel is entitled to write the book he wants. It is not the book I wanted. If it had been the first book that I read about Pompeii, I would have left confused and ill-informed. If you are looking for a book about Pompeii, read Mary Beard's Fires of Vesuvius or one of the numerous other passable introductions. Really the only reason this isn't going off to Half-Price Books forthwith is the quality of the illustrations. It has a large section of really excellent color plates for a book of this size and cost.

And a word about the University of Chicago Press. They used to produce really good quality academic books that were still readable. But that has not been my experience of late, with this one and the really execrable Populus. I will be much more reluctant to buy their books in the future.

[Elentarri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a book that catalogues the archaeological discoveries of Pompeii, buried under volcanic ash and pumice in the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. This is rather a behind-the-scenes tour given by Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park since 2021. Zuchtriegel provides an accessible and interesting broad overview of the archaeological history of Pompeii; some of the findings; artifact theft, the type of work he does in terms of director (things like fundraising, media communications, and trying to make the past relevant to the future - the example of giving local school teenagers the opportunity to put on a professionally organised play by Aristophanes at the amphitheater in Pompeii for a public audience was particularly novel); a bit about his personal experiences as an archaeologist; and then he examines specific topics such as sexual violence, cults, social hierarchy and population density using the mosaics, sculptures and tombs found at Pompeii. I feel this book would complement the general history books on Pompeii, rather than replace them. He doesn't rehash what is covered in other books, but extends what is known by discussing new findings (such as the Slave Room and the lives of ordinary people) and illustrating how archaeology is a multidisciplinary activity. A fascinating account, yet I wish there was more of it - more Pompeii, more archeological methods, more discussion of the findings.

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

sooo very insightful, not just on pompeii but on archaeology in general & our notion of antiquity

[sophie blyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the multifaceted nature of this book; it doesn’t neatly fit into any one genre, instead spanning multiple, including classics, archaeology, art history, memoir etc! The personal stories woven into this study of Pompeii added to the power of the book and reminds the reader of the importance of personal relationships with history and culture in our understanding of it. Thank you to the publisher for the advanced proof copy.

[Spencer Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but a lot of waffle and left feeling like I didn’t learn a whole lot extra about Pompeii but I know a lot about the author.

[Julie J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH VERSION BELOW

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"Vom Zauber des Untergangs" von Gabriel Zuchtriegel ist ein interesanntes Werk, das neue und aufschlussreiche Perspektiven auf die antike Stadt Pompeji bietet. Zuchtriegel, seit 2021 Direktor des Archäologischen Parks von Pompeji, verbindet in diesem Buch historische Rekonstruktion mit modernen wissenschaftlichen Ansätzen. Er geht über die traditionelle Archäologie hinaus, indem er Themen wie sexuelle Gewalt in der antiken Mythologie, Postkolonialismus und soziale Hierarchien untersucht.

Der Autor stellt nicht nur die bekannten Aspekte Pompejis dar, sondern beleuchtet auch das alltägliche Leben der Bewohner, insbesondere derjenigen, die in Armut lebten. Durch die detaillierte Beschreibung von Werkstätten, Schenken und einfachen Wohnräumen vermittelt Zuchtriegel ein lebendiges Bild des antiken Alltags.
Ein Highlight des Buches ist die Darstellung des ersten freigelegten Sklavenzimmers, das neue Einblicke in die Lebensbedingungen und die soziale Struktur Pompejis bietet. Zuchtriegel schafft es, diese historischen Details in einer zugänglichen und fesselnden Weise zu präsentieren, was das Buch auch für Leser ohne Vorkenntnisse interessant macht.
Zusätzlich gibt es diverse Farbfotos im Buch.

Zuchtriegel bemüht sich auch viele aktuelle Themen in das Buch zu bringen. Dies empfand ich teils als zu gekünstelt und fast schon zwanghaft, jegliche Themen in das Buch bringen zu müssen.
Gut gefallen hat mir wiederum die persönlichen Aspekte rund um Zuchtriegels Leben.


Schön war es auch, das Buch am Weg nach Pompeji zu lesen :)

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“Vom Zauber des Untergangs” by Gabriel Zuchtriegel is an interesting work that offers new and revealing perspectives on the ancient city of Pompeii. Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park since 2021, combines historical reconstruction with modern scientific approaches in this book. He goes beyond traditional archaeology by examining topics such as sexual violence in ancient mythology, post-colonialism and social hierarchies.

The author not only presents the well-known aspects of Pompeii, but also sheds light on the everyday lives of its inhabitants, especially those who lived in poverty. Through the detailed description of workshops, taverns and simple living spaces, Zuchtriegel conveys a vivid picture of everyday life in antiquity.
A highlight of the book is the depiction of the first uncovered slave room, which offers new insights into the living conditions and social structure of Pompeii. Zuchtriegel manages to present these historical details in an accessible and captivating way, which makes the book interesting even for readers with no prior knowledge.
In addition, there are various color photos in the book.

Zuchtriegel also makes an effort to include many current topics in the book. At times I found this too artificial and almost obsessive, having to include every topic in the book.
On the other hand, I liked the personal aspects of Zuchtriegel's life.

It was also nice to read the book on the way to Pompeii :)

[Sarah Kimberley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an inspired history lover sifting through the ancient world and its excavations, I was so so excited to get stuck into The Buried City. Personally, I think Gabriel has unveiled the fabric of Pompeii and Ancient history exceptionally in this book. A buried city swimming with the ghostly remains of 79AD. Murmurs of interrupted lives, hidden beneath the pumice and ash. The gaze of frescoed women whose names we do not know, the sweat of slaves crammed into narrow quarters, stray dogs and children pottering along on cobbled streets. You can even feel the immediacy of a child’s toy dropped in haste or a kitchen hearth cooled too soon. The two thousand year old carbonised bread loaves we all recognise, are still haunting. A wealth of discoveries made and yet to be made.

I just love that Gabriel’s work feels like a rediscovery rather than what we already know. Rediscovering the importance of studying Pompeii and the reasons behind archaeology. The hardships, the less glamorous side of history, but above all the integrity of it.

He even highlights new discoveries—like the slave quarters in the Villa of Civita Giuliana. To me Gabriel weaves personal reflections, field experiences, and detailed site interpretations into a seamless narrative. Yes the majority of the book revolves around his work and academic perspective. Inviting us to think about what we choose to preserve and why. Pompeii isn’t just ruins and naughty graffiti- it held the yearnings and struggles of real people. Enslaved people, freedmen and women, merchants, children, and migrants. Each detail is tenderly held, never sensationalized, never stolen ✨

As the director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park and a leading archaeologist, Zuchtriegel is uniquely positioned to tell the story of the city’s past and its rediscovery with authority, nuance, and freshness. Such a fab read! ✨

[Chris]

The Buried City reads like a dear friend explaining his unwavering passion for his career. Zuchtriegel tells a personal story of the natural, archeological,political, and economic life of the unique time capsule of a city, Pompeii. He easily and understandably relates the changing climates of these aspects through the millennia, from the cities founding, its destruction, and the numerous stages of its uncovering.
I was able to visit Pompeii in 1970. I don’t think I’ve ever read or understood as detailed a description of Vesuvius’s eruption and burial of the city. I was fascinated to read here about how many discoveries have been made, excavations that altered the long-held suppositions about the city and it’s inhabitants, since 1970, and even, in the last few years.
Also of note is Zuchtriegel’s efforts to make Pompeii, not just a living museum and place of research, but a cultural touchstone for the current inhabitants—particularly young people—of Campania, the area around the city and its volcano.

[Kendrice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a good book for an overview of Pompeii’s history. This is a great book if you are already familiar with the area and are interested in recent discoveries and analysis. Reads more like a series of anecdotes.

[Brendan Day · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps the title is misleading. There are fresh insights on life (and death) in Pompeii here, but Zuchtriegel’s real concern is the discipline of archaeology: its challenges, relevance and the motives compelling those who practice it. It’s a scattergun approach that is clever, perky and a touch slapdash.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

es geht um Pompeji, also musste das Buch nicht viel leisten, um mich zu begeistern. Vom aktuellen Direktor des archäologischen Park Pompejis geschrieben werden viele Geschichten erzählt, die ich nicht kannte, die neuste Forschung schön populärwissenschaftlich aufbereitet und das Fun Fact Wissen ausgebaut. Mich hat gestört, dass es keine richtige Struktur gibt und man nicht so wirklich weiß, was der Autor eigentlich sagen möchte und anhand welchen Inhalts. So war es mehr eine Art Charakterisierung von Pompeji, mit fehlte aber die Message. Inhaltlich wäre ich daher fast eher bei 3 Sternen - wegen des sehr schönen Covers und der Fotos im Buch 4!

[Lottie Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book isn’t just about the famous ruins, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the newest excavations that have uncovered incredible finds like secret frescos. These discoveries make Pompeii’s ancient daily life much more vivid.

But beyond the archaeology, Zuchtriegel shares his personal journey managing this fragile site: from battling vandalism and looters to the constant challenge of securing funding to keep the site preserved and the work going.

If you’re into history, archaeology, or just love books that connect the past with the present in a thoughtful, emotional way, this is a must read!

[Oriente · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ezt a pusztulás varázsa alcímet egészen biztosan a kiadó találta ki, és nyugodtan figyelmen kívül lehet hagyni. A legkevésbé sem olyan ez a könyv, mint amit egy ilyen kicsit gagyi, hatásvadász cím előrevetít.

A Pompeji Régészeti Park jelenlegi igazgatója mesél múltról és jelenről, ásatásokról és műemlékvédelemről, régészetről és tudománypolitikáról és egy kicsit önmagáról is, hogyan és miként került ebbe a pozícióba, milyen hétköznapi küzdelmeket kellett és kell megvívnia, és mindezt egy nagyon korrekt, közérthető, tényszerű és mégis személyes hangon teszi. Sokat tanultam is belőle, pedig hát magam is művelem az ókortudományt. Nagyon jó volt olvasni a legfrissebb ásatási eredményekről és ahogy Zuchtriegel kontextusba helyezi őket. Különösen tetszettek a város demográfiai jellemzőire, lakhatási körülményeire, az élelmezésre, közegészségügyre vonatkozó fejtegetések. De azok is izgalmas tartalmakat találhatnak, akiket inkább a híres freskók és a művészettörténet, vagy éppen a vallástudomány érdekel.

Kiemelkedik a könyv a szerző személyisége miatt is: igen kellemes olyan tollából olvasni, akivel bármikor leülnénk egy-két órát csevegni egy süti és egy kávé, vagy akár egy fröccs mellett. Kifejezetten tetszett például, hogy úgy tudott beszámolni az őt ért egészen méltatlan támadásokról, szakmai és emberi csalódásairól, hogy azt valahogy nem éreztem se tolakodónak, se kínos nyafogásnak - egyszerűen csak remekül megmutatta milyen nehézségekkel kell megbirkóznia egy ambiciózus embernek ezen a pályán.

A könyv egyetlen hibája, és ezt komoly szerkesztői hibának gondolom, hogy az illusztrációk nincsenek összekötve a szöveggel. A kiadványban két helyen is, fényesebb papírra nyomtatott színes fotóválogatást helyeztek el, amiket tényleg öröm nézegetni. A képaláírások rendben vannak, csakhogy ezek a képek egészen konkrétan a szövegben említett tárgyakhoz, helyszínekhez kapcsolódnak, miközben a szövegben egyáltalán nem történik utalás arra, hogy hahó, nem kell guglizni, 60-70 oldallal előre lapozva megtalálod a remek illusztrációt is. Sosem fér a fejembe, ha ilyet látok: hogy nem jutott senkinek eszébe, hogy ezekre a helyekre beszúrjon egy "Lásd 23. ábra" zárójeles megjegyzést??

[Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and thorough, the current head of Pompeii talks about the current state of scholarship in the city buried by a volcanic eruption almost 2,000 years ago. I'm struck by the fact that so many details are known with precision: plaster casts show us body forms, and sometimes intricate shapes of everyday objects. Despite this, something as basic as how many people lived in the city at the time of its destruction is largely unknown, estimates ranging from 8,000 to 45,000, the latter estimate based on extrapolation from a single grave inscription. I'd like to visit this city someday.

[Eleanor Atterton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Very interesting to hear about the actual running of the archaeological park rather than the history. Half read/ half listened to. Glad i've also got the physical copy for the amazing photos!

[Sari]

interesting, about classical archaeology as a living contemporary field

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Sam Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book about what the findings in Pompeii say about the people, it's like having a chat with Gabriel and I really enjoyed it.

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not a bad book by any means and in places was very interesting. But I feel the title and cover are a real deception: this was more meandering thoughts on art, its meaning etc, and the purpose of archaeology, than a book on Pompeii. The author used his work as director of Pompeii as the example and backdrop but that’s where it begins and ends. I wasn’t even sure what point he was driving.

[Agnes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Instead of the "The Buried City" this book should be called "Auto biography of the current director of Pompeii and various pseudo philosophical ramblings" as that is what this book is. Very disappointing.

[Linniegayl · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a DNF for me. I picked it up for a book group, although I had been meaning to read it for some time. While I tried to finish, I just couldn’t do so. It just wasn’t working for me, and I have far too many other books on my TBR pile that I am looking forward to. Clearly some people love this book, based on all the five and four star reviews here. It just isn’t for me. I guess I'm an outlier, so take what I write with a grain of salt.

It thought it would be a book about the recent discoveries at Pompeii (which I am very curious to know more about). Instead, it is a lot about the author’s feelings about museums and museum visitors, his thoughts about archaeology and his fellow archaeologists. We learn a lot about the author’s childhood and his family. It read more like an autobiography or memoir for much of the book. I rarely read autobiographies or even biographies, and when I do, I want them to be about someone I know or am curious to learn more about. I wasn’t curious to learn more about the latest director of the UNESCO World Heritage site at Pompeii. Sadly, we learn far too little about Pompeii and the recent discoveries.

I can’t figure out who this was written for. The author tosses off names such as Cicero and Ovid and terms such as neoclassicism with no explanations as to who or what they are, so clearly assumes some basic level of understanding about Roman history and literature. But it doesn't read like an academic book either.

The style of writing doesn’t suit me. I struggled to figure out if there was any order or sense to the book. The author seemed to jump around from thought to thought, almost as if he was telling stories to someone, out of any sensible sequence. I skimmed ahead hoping that eventually we got more about Pompeii. While we do, it’s still filled with information about the author’s own life and feelings and opinions. Perhaps I’ll pick this up again someday. But for now, on to something else.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A provocative dive into 21st-century archaeology, The Buried City challenges how we think about Pompeii—not just as a site of ruins, but as a living mirror to our present. Zuchtriegel explores the entanglement of politics, media, and heritage, asking: how do we keep ancient sites relevant, sustainable, and ethically interpreted for future generations?

The structure is scattered, with personal anecdotes and academic insights jostling for space. I found myself craving a tighter edit and clearer narrative arc. Still, the book shines when it reveals new excavations that reshape our understanding of slavery, burial practices, and population diversity in ancient Pompeii—and, by extension, ourselves.

Not quite what I expected, but it left me thinking: archaeology isn’t just about the past. It’s about the stories we choose to tell now. As Zuchtriegel writes, “we must realise that we’re the product of the past, the decisions people have taken, sometimes centuries ago but also that the decisions we make about telling history in a particular way construct the present and the future. Seen this way the past isn’t finished. We, who keep telling and discovering the past are in the middle of it. Interbeing, we would call it after the Zen Buddhist monk and teacher Thich Nhat Hanh.” A powerful reminder that the past is not behind us—it’s within us.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ein erfrischendes Buch von leichter Feder. Natürlich sehr subjektiv, aber mit offenem Standpunkt gut nachvollziehbar. Was man daraus lernen kann:
1. Wir sind mit unserer eigenen Kultur(geschichte) und unserem persönlichen Werdegang natürlich vorgeprägt, wenn wir archäologische Entdeckungen verstehen wollen und interpretieren.
2. Die überlieferte Geschichtsschreibung stammt aus der Feder der Gebildeten und der Herrschenden, kaum aus dem einfachen Volk. 3. Vor allem aber: nicht Kunst "sammeln und katalogisieren" sondern fragen, was empfinde ich, was empfand jemand damals ( in welchem Kontext), warum wurde es erschaffen.

Pompeji bietet durch seine Katastrophe und die Asche-Konservierungen ( bzw. deren mit Gips ausgefüllte Hohlräume) einen eher einmaligen Blick in die Alltagswelt. Klug und knapp formuliert.

[die Taube]

Gabriel Zuchtriegel schafft mit diesem Buch ein immersives Leseerlebnis in die Welt des antiken Pompeji vor seinem Untergang. Auch mit beschränktem Vorwissen macht diese Lektüre Spaß und bietet eine weite Bandbreite an Themen und Informationen. Besonders gefallen haben mir die Ausarbeitungen zu den Themen Dionysus, Sexualität und Religion/ die Stellung der Götter.

Leseerlebnis: 4 von 5 (Mal waren es seitenlange Monologe, aber oft interessante Tiefgänge)

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gutes Buch,
der Autor vermittelt seine Leidenschaften für die Archäologie indem er anhand der Entdeckungen in Pompeji in die tiefergreifenderen Bedeutungen und Arbeitsweisen eingeht, die einen normalen Touristen so nicht beschäftigen, wobei er auch verschiedene Probleme aufgreift.

Eine neue Sichtweise auf historische Orte im generellen - nicht nur Pompeji - und die Arbeit sowie die Leidenschaft die dahinter steckt.

[Ellen Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating book. I so badly want to go to Pompeii.

I had some basic Roman history under my belt, but the minutiae of everyday lives were so fascinating. Particularly things like the naming conventions of freedmen, or the ‘historical evolutionist’ paradigm that coloured population distribution estimates.

Highly recommend - you can tell the author is very passionate about this topic.

[Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reads like your close friend telling you the most fascinating details of their job running the archeological site: the controversies, the red tape, the hidden details, the personal insights - all unexpected and complex. He reveals aspects of the city that are mysterious and those that feel familiar.

[BEA !! 🤠 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a captivating and informative read. I loved not only getting a recount of the destruction of Pompeii but an insider look at life, and love, and religion, and politics that occurred at that time. It’s such a behind-the-scenes look at the destruction and at what archeology can tell us about this world. A truly insightful read - it asks us to transform our relationship with the past in a way that allows us to celebrate antiquity.

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zuchtriegel makes me excited for the future of archaeology. He’s a good writer, and his descriptions of life in Pompeii and what it’s like to discover new things are fresh and fascinating.