TRY THIS!
WHERE IN THE WORLD?
Prepare for your visit to
POMPEII: The Exhibition
by orienting
students to the geography of Italy. Use Google Maps to look
at the region.
• Go to googlemaps.com.
• Enter “Mount Vesuvius” in the search box.
• Use the map’s view controllers to switch between
satellite and map views, comparing the features of
each. The satellite view is particularly dramatic.
• Zoom out until the view begins to include surrounding
cities, the region, and eventually the entire country of Italy.
• Notice the topographical features of the map and how
elevation levels are presented.
• Locate Pompeii, which is southeast of the volcano.
TRY THIS!
MAKE A PLASTER CAST!
POMPEII: The Exhibition
features replicas of human body
casts that were made during the original excavation of the
archaeological site. Demonstrate the process of plaster
casting for your students to help them understand how
the body casts were made.
MATERIALS
• Aluminum foil baking pan
• Flexible plastic bucket for mixing and pouring plaster
• Wooden mixing spoon or paint stirrer
• Play sand (available in home improvement stores)
• Plaster of paris mix (available in home improvement stores)
• Water (amount will vary depending on how many casts
you make)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Pompeii was completely destroyed by the eruption of Mount
Vesuvius in the year 79. The city of Naples is about the same
distance from the volcano as Pompeii. Today, about 2.2
million people live in the city of Naples and double that
number live in the surrounding area.
IS IT RISKY TO LIVE IN NAPLES?
Yes, there is risk, but all places have natural disaster risks
associated with them.
WOULD YOU EVER WANT TO LIVE IN NAPLES?
Answers will vary based on student opinion.
WHY DO YOU THINK PEOPLE BUILT THE CITY
OF NAPLES EVEN THOUGH IT IS SO CLOSE TO
A VOLCANO?
Naples is a port city on the Mediterranean Sea. Access
to the sea enabled trade and exchange of imports
and exports.
PROCESS
• Fill the foil pan with play sand, about 2/3 of the way.
• Add water slowly until the sand is saturated, stopping
before puddles form on top.
• Smooth the surface of the dampened sand.
• Press your hand slowly and firmly down into the sand until
a good imprint is made.
• If the first try does not produce a clean imprint, simply
mix the sand and smooth the surface again. Then try
making the handprint again. When you are satisfied
with the imprint, set the pan aside.
• Follow the instructions on your mix to make a batch
of plaster in the plastic container. Use the wooden spoon
to avoid sticking.
• Gently pour the plaster into the sand mold until it
completely fills the impression.
• Allow the plaster to harden. Consult your plaster mix’s
instructions for an estimate of how long it will take.
• Carefully lift the plaster cast from the sand and brush
away any residual sand.
Educator’s Guide | PG 5
The resulting cast captures a moment in time for
your hand in the same way that the body casts
in the exhibit capture the residents of Pompeii
at the moment of their deaths.
