Italian scientist Mauro Bernabei from the Italian National Research Council conducted a dendrochronological analysis of 35 tree samples found in the Moregine region near Pompeii. The results show that some of the wood dates back to 49 AD, just 30 years before the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

Historical context and archaeological finds

The Moregine site, located a few hundred meters from the city walls of Pompeii, has been of archaeological interest since 1959, when researchers excavated part of the ancient road between Naples and Salerno.

This area contained the remains of an architectural complex buried under volcanic ash. Among the finds:

• Ancient Roman inn courtyard, whose walls are decorated with frescoes
• a few triclinia in the portico,
• Remnants of incomplete thermal baths.

Many artifacts were also discovered, including wax tablets, a silver service consisting of 20 pieces weighing a total of four kilograms, and other valuable items.

The high groundwater level in Morezhina contributed to the excellent preservation of ancient wooden artifacts. Bernabei focused his research on: 35 wood samplesEach is on average 50 centimeters wide, 3 centimeters thick and up to 150 centimeters long. These specimens were mostly white fir (Abies alba), although some small pieces of oak (Quercus) were also present.

Pieces of wood found near Pompeii / Photo: Mauro Bernabei

The skill of making old wood is clearly visible in the photo above. Larger surfaces have a perfect radial cross-section and remain perfectly flat and smooth.

Through a careful analysis of the annual rings, Bernabe discovered that B.C. He managed to create a dendrochronological scale covering from 127 to 176 years. By AD 49 The absence of extreme annual rings indicates that the trees were probably felled slightly after AD 49. This timeline provides critical information about the period leading up to the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

The Roman Empire had an extensive trade network

One of the most important results of Bernabe’s research is evidence that at least some of the white fir trees did not originate from southern Italy. Comparison with reference collections shows that this wood may have come from the Alpine region or other parts of Central Europe.

Although the exact origin of these trees remains unclear, this discovery highlights the complex logistics and allows us to draw conclusions about the Roman Empire’s extensive trade network.