Which ancient city was buried under the volcanic ash of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79?

Pompeii was an ancient city located in what is now the comune of Pompei near Naples in the Campania region of Italy. Pompeii, along with Herculaneum and many villas in the surrounding area was buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. About 15,000 and 20,000 people were living in Pompeii and Herculaneum at that time and the majority of them survived Vesuvius' catastrophic eruption. This volcano is still an active one located on the Gulf of Naples in Campania, Italy.

Largely preserved under the ash, the excavated city offered a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried, although much of the detailed evidence of the everyday life of its inhabitants were lost in the excavations. It was a wealthy town, enjoying many fine public buildings and luxurious private houses with lavish decorations, furnishings, and works of art which were the main attractions for the early excavators.