Pesando's ongoing digs are adding new insights. The Samnite Pompeii was built on steps degrading toward the south, in order to make rainwater flow down easily. Narrow streets accessible only with donkeys abounded, while rows of houses lined larger streets.

Digging beneath the House of the Centaur revealed a wonderful mosaic floor and the first evidence of a third-century house featuring a large atrium with its roof open in the middle to allow rainwater to collect in a pool.

"The mosaic tessera floor and other decorations show that the house belonged to the highest social class of Samnite Pompeii," Pesando said.

Pesando also discovered a two-chamber kiln, which is Pompeii's oldest. It was used to produce roof tiles during the construction of the quarter's most ancient houses.

In the following century, Pompeii slowly turned into the town that 2 million yearly visitors admire today.

The steps and the narrow streets disappeared, while new houses were built on top of the old ones, making the town more even and regular.

New digging campaigns are set to continue in the next few years. Pesando hopes to fully uncover at least a 3rd-Century house and make it accessible to visitors.

"It will provide a unique glimpse into the oldest Pompeii," he said.