In 79 CE, Mount Vesuvius erupted in what would become one of humanity’s most infamous ancient tragedies. Tens of centuries later, archaeologists eagerly dug through the ash and pumice to rediscover the buried Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum in all their preserved glory.

Archeologists have discovered new evidence which suggests people returned to live among the ruins of Pompeii after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius around 2,000 years ago. The ancient Roman city was home to between 10,000 and 20,000 people before the nearby Vesuvius volcano erupted in AD79.