Weekend Economists Go Out with a Boom August 24-26, 2012

[AnneD]

51. One of the perks of living in Houston....

Is having a world class museum district.

Several years ago, we had a wonderful Pompeii exhibit at the museum of science. The frescos, art pottery and jewelry were amazing. The castings were the most haunting. In CSI parlance, the defensive posturing were evident. The saddest were the parents protecting the children from a horrible yet inevitable death.

Pompeii and Herculaneum were affluent sea side resorts filled with the well to do business class....the ancient 1%. The trappings of wealth were evident in the artifacts recovered. This was a society that enjoyed luxuries of the day, hot baths, oils and fragrances, and a good diet. I enjoyed looking at the tools of the various trades. They loved sports and other diversions. Very similar to what we do today.

Excellent topic.