1-155-317 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'The Hunt of the Dwarfs', fresco from Pompeii, c1st century BC-1st century AD. Pompeii was buried under a thick layer of volcanic ash by a catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. The site of the town was rediscovered in 1748, and subsequent excavations revealed buildings and artefacts in a remarkably well preserved state. From the Naples National Museum.