Major new finds have been
unveiled for Friday's 270th anniversary of the discovery of the
first remains of the ancient city of Pompeii buried by ash and
rock following the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The local archaeological authorities have marked the occasion
by presenting major new excavations in the Regio V area launched
under the auspices of the ongoing conservation project Great
Pompeii.
"Our aim was to resolve the instability of the excavation
fronts in this area, which had a history of collapses," said
special superintendent for Pompeii Massimo Osanna.
"The work involved the reshaping of this part of the
archaeological site. Then when we started digging we found
remains of public and private areas, gardens and porticoes that
we did not think we would find. It is the most important dig in
the post-war period," he continued.
"And, for the first time as academics, we have come across
objects, plasterwork and frescoes that have never been restored,
that are in their original shape and colour without having been
tampered with in past restoration. Now we also have the
opportunity to carry out conservation work using the most
advanced techniques, materials and experiences," Osanna added.
The work is expected to take two years at a total cost of 8.5
million euros and the area will remain open to visitors for the
duration.
Archaeologists have already identified an open area that they
believe was a garden whose function will be better investigated
through palaeobotanical analysis.
The south-eastern corner of the 'garden' has already revealed
several amphorae, whose type and contents are now being studied.
Nearby the street that ran alongside the House of the Silver
Wedding is coming to light with its raised pavements and the
entrances to the buildings along it.
These include the entrance to a domus with frescoed walls and
panels against a red background with the painted image of a pair
of dolphin at the centre.
Meanwhile, the director-general of the Great Pompeii Project,
Mauro Cipolletta, confirmed plans to bring high-speed railway
services directly to the site.
"The project hasn't been shelved but it needs to be studied
in depth, together with the elimination of the coastal railway
line that currently separates to area from the sea," Cipolletta
said.
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