Which individual served as the Superintendent of Pompeii from 1863 to 1877 and popularized the use of plaster casting for preserving body cavities?

The individual who served as the Superintendent of Pompeii from 1863 to 1877 and is credited with popularizing the use of plaster casting for preserving body cavities is Fiorelli. His innovative approach involved filling the voids left in the ash by decomposed bodies with plaster, creating detailed casts that captured both the position and the facial expressions of the victims at the time of the eruption. This method provided valuable insights into the events of the eruption and the lives of those who perished.

Fiorelli's work significantly advanced the archaeological study of Pompeii by allowing for a more realistic portrayal of the tragedy that occurred. His techniques laid the foundation for future excavations and preservation techniques at both Pompeii and Herculaneum, demonstrating the importance of scientific methods in archaeology. His contributions have had a lasting impact on how we understand and visualize the historical events surrounding the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.