When Mt. Vesuvius erupted in A.D. 79, the city of Pompeii was struck by a wave of intensely hot air and buried in volcanic ash and rock. Archaeologists have been studying the city's well-preserved ruins for hundreds of years. Recently archaeologists have begun excavating and analyzing a new block of the city, making some unexpected findings about domestic life in ordinary homes. Instead of finding medical instruments in doctor's offices, archaeologists found surgical instruments inside people's homes. Scientists didn't find formal dishware sets inside houses or formal dining and kitchen areas. However, they did find a lot of small grilling devices similar to today's barbecue grills. Excavations in the city have also revealed a number of Thermopolia: bar-like establishments that sold hot food.

1. What can you conclude about what happened to the people who were in the city of Pompeii when the volcano erupted?

2. What can you conclude about people's eating habits in ancient Pompeii?

3. What can you conclude about why surgical instruments were found in homes?

4. What can you conclude about why archaeologists are interested in studying Pompeii?

A 1963 survey by the U.S. Department of Agriculture revealed that about 30 percent of Americans had milk delivered to their homes. At that time, many homes had a small box, called a milk box, sitting near the back door. Several times a week a delivery driver would deposit the household milk order. By 1975, only 7 percent of the U.S. sales of milk were through home delivery. That number dropped even lower, to less than half a percent, by 1995. Today there is renewed interest in home delivery of dairy products in many cities.
5. What can you conclude about why the popularity of home milk deliveries dropped?

6. Why might home delivery be starting up again in cities but not in rural areas? ​