PHOENIX — Pompeii: The Exhibition, a traveling show, is set to return to the Arizona Science Center on Saturday and transport visitors to just hours before the eruption of Mount Vesuvius left the city frozen in time.

The exhibit uses a combination of priceless artifacts and multimedia productions to bring people back in time to 79 A.D.

“The story of Pompeii’s destruction and preservation is well-known around the world for providing a perfect encapsulation of life during the Roman era,” Interim Hazel A. Hare President and CEO of the Arizona Science Center Tammy Stewart said in a press release. “It is a remarkable story that exists as both an ancient legend and an archaeological treasure, providing a one-of-a-kind snapshot of ancient history that we rarely ever see.”

“We are honored to be entrusted with these archaeological treasures and are thrilled to welcome the return of this exhibition, last on display here in 2018, as we once again bring the Phoenix community closer to history and transport guests back in time to a period of splendor and a day of timeless catastrophe.”

Details on Pompeii: The Exhibition returning to Arizona Science Center

Pompeii and the people who lived there were buried under ash and debris from Vesuvius’ eruption, but it also happened to preserve the city and its residents until archaeologists discovered it more than 1,700 years later.

When guests enter the exhibition they will see a video reconstruction of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. There will also be a holographic display of gladiatorial combat.

After that, visitors can view more than 150 artifacts in the exhibit’s gallery, including gladiator armor, weapons, vibrant frescos, statues, jewelry, medical instruments and cooking ware.

There is also a simulation for the Arizona Science Center’s 4D theater that will take people through the different stages of the eruption and the impact that it had on the city.

The entire exhibit is meant to build up to the reveal of full-body casts of residents who were asphyxiated by the extreme heat and noxious gases.

In addition to a general admission ticket for the science center, a separate timed-entry ticket is required for those who want to visit the exhibition.

The timed ticket is $17 and a premium ticket, which comes with all-day access and an audio tour, is $20 — the audio tour by itself is a $5 add-on. Tickets can be purchased on the Arizona Science Center’s website.

The exhibit will be at the science center for a limited time until April 12, 2026.

The artifacts in the exhibit are on loan from The Naples Nation Archaeological Museum in Italy as well as the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

“The blend of scientific discovery and a media-rich way of retelling history allows visitors to experience the awe of nature and human ingenuity,” Producer of Pompeii: The Exhibition John Norman said. “We’re thrilled to bring this innovative exhibition to Phoenix and provide guests with the ability to travel through time and immerse themselves in Pompeii with breathtaking, real-life examples of archeology, geology, earth science, art history, culture and more.”

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