Final answer:
The erotic materials from Pompeii were known to only a few due to early discoverers hiding them, influenced by the cultural norms of their times. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius preserved these materials under ash, only to be unearthed and scrutinized centuries later. The correct answer is option A).
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient erotic materials found in the ruins of Pompeii were known to only a few for many years because early discoverers of Pompeii chose to hide or limit the distribution of these findings. The discovery of Pompeii itself in the late 16th century and its extensive excavation work later on, revealed these materials. Over time, the explorers and archaeologists who uncovered Pompeii, found it necessary to keep these erotic artifacts away from public display due to the prevailing cultural norms and sensibilities of their own times, which viewed such materials as obscene or inappropriate. Therefore, rather than being lost at sea, symbolic, or written in a newly translated language, it was a deliberate decision by the discoverers and custodians of the artifacts to restrict knowledge of these erotic materials.
The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE covered the city in ash, which preserved many structures and artifacts, including erotic frescoes and symbols, giving us a glimpse into the daily life and social practices of a Roman city. These items, preserved in situ under the volcanic material, remained hidden from the world until they were unearthed over the centuries, with significant findings coming to light in more recent archaeological efforts.