PICK OF THE DAY

POMPEII: NEW SECRETS REVEALED, 9PM, BBC1

PEOPLE have long speculated about the residents of Pompeii and the lives they led before the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Now, cutting-edge technology is bringing new insight into the human stories behind the ancient remains. In this documentary, Mary Beard (pictured right) – who has visited Pompeii hundreds of times – gets the chance to ‘poke around behind the scenes’ and experience the ancient Roman town as never before. With unparalleled access to the architectural ruins and the remains of those who died, Mary gains a ‘unique glimpse’ of life in what was essentially an ‘ordinary little Roman town’ – before tragedy struck.