Pompeii is one of the most famous and most visited archaeological sites in the world the town was completely buried by the enormous eruption of mount vesuvius in 79 ad the ash covering the town protected the buildings against the passage of time the first excavations were in the 18th century and 250 years on about 75 of the town has been dug out the 2 hour walking tour covers the main public monuments and some of the homes in the town