A long-held belief about one of history's most famous disasters is being questioned, not by ancient texts, but by the very clothes on the victims' backs. The silent figures of Pompeii, frozen in time, are offering new clues that could rewrite a pivotal date in the Roman Empire.

New research from Spanish archaeologists argues that the victims of Pompeii were wearing heavy wool, a strange choice for a sweltering Italian August. This forensic finding fuels a growing debate that shifts the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius from summer to autumn of 79 CE, revealing how modern science can unlock ancient secrets.

The ÁTROPOS research group from the University of Valencia led the study, analyzing 14 plaster casts of those who perished. Their findings, presented at an international congress, noted that several victims wore double layers—a tunic and a cloak—made of a heavy, thick-weave wool. "The clothing worn by the victims suggests not only the possibility of a colder-than-usual climate, but also a day with a harmful environment from which they needed to protect themselves," explained Llorenç Alapont, a University of Valencia archaeologist who headed the research.

A Mountain of Evidence

For centuries, the eruption date was fixed to August 24th, based on letters from Pliny the Younger, who witnessed the event. However, the original copies of his letters are lost, and transcriptions over the centuries could have introduced errors. This new clothing analysis is the latest in a series of discoveries that point to a later date.

Other evidence challenging the August timeline includes:

• An Inscription: In 2018, archaeologists found a charcoal inscription dated to what would be October 17th. Officials noted that fragile charcoal writing would likely not have survived for months, suggesting it was written shortly before the eruption.
• Seasonal Foods: Previous excavations have unearthed autumnal produce like pomegranates, chestnuts, and freshly harvested grapes, which would not have been available in August.
• Warm Braziers: The discovery of heating braziers in homes also indicates the weather was likely cooler than a typical Italian summer.

Rewriting History's Pages

The debate is more than academic. Pinpointing the correct season offers a more accurate reconstruction of the final days of Pompeii and Herculaneum. While a Roman disaster nearly two millennia ago may seem distant to the daily life of a Kenyan, the process is a powerful reminder. It shows how technology and critical re-examination of evidence can challenge long-held assumptions and bring us closer to the truth—a principle vital to understanding our own history and present.

While some scholars maintain the traditional August date, citing that wool was a common, all-purpose fabric, the accumulation of counter-evidence is becoming harder to ignore. The most accredited date among many researchers is now leaning towards October 24-25 of 79 CE. The debate underscores a crucial reality: history is not a static set of facts, but a dynamic story constantly being refined, with Pompeii's victims still speaking to us across the millennia.