"The Life, Death and Resurrection of Pompeii and Herculaneum" is an acclaimed historical and archaeological presentation created and delivered by Mike Stone, a British archaeologist, author, and museum curator. 

The lecture outlines the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79 and covers three distinct phases of the city's timeline: 

• The Life: An examination of daily life in a bustling, provincial Roman town, illustrating its architecture, commerce, and citizens.
• The Death: A detailed look at the 18-hour timeline of the volcanic destruction that froze the city in time.
• The Resurrection: A retrospective on the historical discovery, systematic excavation, and modern-day digital restoration of the ruins. 

Rather than just focusing on the tragedy, Stone utilizes a blend of classical art, archaeological artifacts, and modern computer reconstructions to paint a vivid picture of a community preserved in ash. 

About the Speaker

Mike Stone (often credited as Michael Stone) graduated from the University of London’s Institute of Archaeology, specializing in the Classical Civilisation and Archaeology of Roman Provinces. He is a highly regarded heritage expert who served as the Curator of the Chippenham Museum and now lectures for universities, heritage organizations, and international cruise ships. He frequently delivers this talk through historical networks such as SpeakerNet and local u3a branches in the UK