√ The Issues of Conservation and Reconstruction in Pompeii Explained

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Pompeii was first discovered in 1748. It has given birth to new methods of exploration and conservation. For example Fiorell’is plaster casts. The site has also been damaged by many things. Pompeii has been exposed to damage caused by: Tourists, Mismanagement, Corruption and Lack of funding. In recent times it has become clear to all, archaeologists, tourists, governments, and academics that Pompeii is in dire need of conservation and preservation. In 1997 Pompeii and Herculaneum were put on the world heritage list. Despite this not much has been done to save it.

The excavated area is 44 hectares, the total area is 66 hectares. There is a lot of decay at Pompeii. It is caused by: General neglect, Vegetation that is not removed and thus breaks up the walls, Microbiological infestation from algae, fungi and lichen. There is also decay caused by physical and climatic influences in the form of humidity and changes of temperature. Also unsuitable conservation materials have been used. For example liquid glass, resin varnish, wax coatings and to salt crystallisation.

What is being done at Pompeii and Herculaneum? From 1975 onwards, international scholars have funded a project to record the most notable houses at Pompeii and Herculaneum. From the 1980’s a computer database has been set up to record all the findings at the sites. There has been a re-examination of early excavation reports and a re-evaluation of some of the buildings at Pompeii. Since 1995, the Sopreintendenza Archeoligca di Pompeii (the Italian authorities responsible for the site) have emphasised the need to preserve the site rather than conduct further excavation.

An example of the issues involved is the Villa of the Papyri. In 1998 excavation at the Villa was halted because of insufficient funds and a change in priorities. Guzzo the superintendent in Pompeii believes that conservation takes precedence over excavation. Andrew Wallace-Hadrill agrees with Guzzo, "You cannot justify spending more money on new excavation until you have preserved what you already have got”.

He says about Herculaneum: “The archaeological, historical and decorative evidence is crumbling before our eyes. There is also an appalling infestation of pigeons. Under Italian law, the pigeons cannot be killed so they populate the ancient houses with predictable consequences.” There is opposition from people who want to excavate, they would like the excavation at the Villa of the Papyri to continue. “Among the authors whose works could lie buried beneath the volcanic debris are Sophocles, Euripedes, Aristotle, Virgil, Horace and Livy.” In 2004 in an interview with 60 minutes.

Wallace Hadrill was described as an angry archaeologist on a mission to save Pompeii. He said: “Man is wreaking far greater damage than Vesuvius. The moment of Pompeii’s destruction was also the moment of its preservation”. He goes on to say: “The public needs to understand that unless constant efforts are taken to arrest the decay, the site will, within decades crumble to nothing.” In Herculaneum less than half of the city has been uncovered. Excavation and conservation are very costly and difficult. Most of the town is beneath a layer of volcanic ash 18-24 metres thick.

Impact of tourism: Around 2 million tourists visit Pompeii each year. About 500,000 visit Herculaneum. This brings a lot of revenue into Pompeii but also causes many problems. Tourists can cause a lot of damage to Pompeii. They can cause wear and tear to the ruins of the cities. The main goal at this time is to preserve the remains of these cities.