Largely preserved under the ash, Pompeii offers a unique snapshot of Roman life as well as
insight into ancient urban planning. It was a wealthy town of 10,000 to 20,000 residents at
the time it was destroyed. It hosted many fine public buildings and luxurious private houses
with lavish decorations, furnishings and artworks, which were the main attractions for early
excavators; subsequent excavations have found hundreds of private homes and businesses
reflecting various architectural styles and social classes, as well as numerous public buildings.