Gezicht op de Strada delle Tombe te Pompeï, Italië 1857 - 1875

This is Giorgio Sommer's photograph of the Strada delle Tombe in Pompeii. Sommer, a German photographer based in Italy, captured this image during a time when Pompeii was becoming a popular site for archaeological tourism in the late 19th century. Walking along the street, one is struck by the poignancy of seeing these ancient tombs. They offer a glimpse into the burial rituals and beliefs of a long-lost civilization. Sommer’s photographs are not just records; they invite contemplation on the passage of time and the layers of history. The crumbling structures whisper stories of lives lived and abruptly ended. Consider the social implications: were these sites only for the wealthy? How did class and status dictate one’s final resting place? Sommer’s images serve as poignant reminders of our shared mortality, and also hint at the disparities that transcend time. They compel us to reflect on our relationship with the past, and how we memorialize it.