Nola-Croce del Papa, archaeological site in Nola, Italy

Nola-Croce del Papa is an Early Bronze Age village near Nola, buried by volcanic ash from Vesuvius around 1700 BCE and excavated from May 2001 under Claude Albore Livadie. Only three buildings survived intact; the dig exposes their walls and floors, with volcanic mud that flowed into the structures preserving plant remains and foodstuffs.

The village was buried by the Avellino eruption of Vesuvius in the 2nd millennium BCE, around 1700 BCE. Excavation began in May 2001 after two bodies were found caught by a pyroclastic flow while fleeing. French archaeologist Claude Albore Livadie, who directed the dig, called the site the "first Pompeii".

The site is named after the Croce del Papa locality, and its excavation was directed by French archaeologist Claude Albore Livadie, who called it the "first Pompeii". The pottery found near the hearth and a pot left inside an oven suggest the eruption struck at mealtime. The absence of personal belongings indicates inhabitants gathered their valuables before fleeing.

The site is accessible during excavation season, but sturdy shoes are essential due to uneven surfaces and steps within the dig areas. Visitors should bring sun protection or seek shaded areas, as most of the site offers limited shelter from sun exposure.

The volcanic mudflow created perfect molds of organic materials that normally decompose, including food remains and wooden furniture from the Bronze Age. These molds allow researchers to study even the types of meals people ate and the quality of their craftsmanship.