Pompeii: A Never-Ending Discovery Now on View at the National Museum of China

 

 

On February 4, 2026, Pompeii: A Never-Ending Discovery opened to the public at the National Museum of China. Jointly organized by the National Museum of China and the Institute of the Italian Encyclopedia Treccani, the exhibition reviews nearly three centuries of archaeological history—from the first excavations in 1748 to the present day. The exhibition charts the evolution of archaeological methods, concepts, and discoveries over different eras: from simple artifact extraction to holistic site preservation; from static descriptions of remains to the reconstruction of social and cultural life. It illustrates a shared vision between China and Italy in the field of cultural heritage: that these sites are not merely static exhibits requiring scientific care, but living resources imbued with vitality.

 

We sincerely invite you to join us on this journey. Through the archaeological evidence of Pompeii, feel the vibrant pulse of daily life in ancient Rome. Let us look beyond a past woven with both joy and sorrow to jointly contemplate the eternal mystery of the continuous survival and growth of human civilization.

 

 

 

The exhibition brings together 105 exquisite artifacts (sets) from the National Archaeological Museum of Naples and the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, complemented by three immersive installations. Through two main sections—The First Excavations and The New Excavations—and the finale The Victims, the exhibition translates cutting-edge academic research into an intuitive visual language. It offers a fresh perspective on Pompeii's historical landscape and daily life, revealing its vital status within the Roman Empire and its extensive connections across the Mediterranean.

 

1. A Fresh Perspective: A 300-Year Journey of Discovery with the history of excavation as its narrative core, the exhibition traces nearly three centuries of archaeological work since 1748. It reveals the scientific evolution of how humanity perceives and protects cultural heritage.

 

 

2. Rare Masterpieces: Most Artifacts Making Their China Debut. The exhibition features recent archaeological finds and precious artifacts, some of which have never been seen by the public before. This marks the first time these treasures have left Italy and Europe to meet a Chinese audience, representing a comprehensive showcase of Pompeii's latest archaeological achievements.

 

 

3. Virtual and Reality Converge: Reconstructing the Texture of Civilization. Three immersive installations feature rare footage of areas never before opened to the public. The gallery utilizes paper-like LED technology, including a massive 16-meter-long circular screen covering over 64 square meters. These digital displays transform academic data into a sensory experience, allowing historical artifacts to shine alongside modern technology.

 

 

4. Civilizational Dialogue: China and Italy. Beyond presenting cultural heritage as a "living resource," the exhibition uses Pompeii as a site of memory that transcends time and space. It explores the eternal theme of human civilization's unending vitality and bears witness to the shared mission of the East and West in preserving historical legacy.

 

 

 

 

Click the video to join this thousand-year rendezvous connecting China and the world, and witness the birth of this extraordinary exhibition!