Final answer:
Pompeii was first excavated in 1748, providing a detailed look into Roman life at the peak of the Roman Empire after it was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first known excavation of Pompeii was conducted in 1748. The ruins were accidentally rediscovered, and since then, systematic excavations have provided an extraordinarily detailed insight into the life of a city during the height of the Roman Empire. The excavation process, especially the technique of using plaster to fill voids left by decomposed bodies, has allowed archaeologists and historians to gain a significant understanding of the Roman lifestyle, art, and culture. Sadly, the city was lost for nearly 1,700 years after the devastating eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, which smothered the city in ash and preserved it until its rediscovery.