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 Fantastic frescos, preserved mosaics and obscene graffiti are
just some of the discoveries emerging from the largest
archaeological dig at the site since the 1950s.
As teams of construction workers shore up mounds of earth
pressing down on the excavated areas to prevent them crushing
the ruins, archaeologists and conservationists are busy
restoring newly discovered art and bolstering fragile walls.
The burst of activity marks the final stages of the "Great
Pompeii Project", launched in 2012 after a spate of cave-ins,
with the European Union and Italian state handing over 105
million euros ($118 million) to halt the decay.
"The risk of collapse, of serious damage is past. Now Pompeii is
quite safe," said Francesco Muscolino, 42, an archaeologist
working on the program.
The extensive conservation work has enabled scholars to uncover
a few more areas of Pompeii still buried under volcanic debris,
including two large houses, alleyways, highly decorated
interiors and a brightly colored snack bar.
Pompeii was submerged by volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius
exploded in AD 79, killing thousands of Romans who had no idea
they were living beneath one of Europe's biggest volcanoes.
Memory of the catastrophe faded over time and it was not until
1748 that any meaningful exploration was undertaken. More
systematic excavations were launched the following century, but
by the end of the 20th century, neglect, lack of funds and
repeated flooding were taking a heavy toll.
In 2010, less than 15 percent of the excavated area was
accessible to tourists, wild dogs roamed the paved streets, and
only 10 buildings were open, against 64 in 1956.
Today, around 70 percent of the uncovered city is accessible and
more than 30 fully restored buildings can be visited.
CHARCOAL INSCRIPTION
The improved access has helped lift tourist numbers, with some
3.5 million people coming to Pompeii last year, an increase of
one million in just a decade. Even more visitors are expected as
the latest finds are gradually unveiled to the public.
Among the highlights are a fresco of the Greek mythological
figure Narcissus leaning languidly on a block of stone and
staring down at his own reflection in a pool of water.
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In the same house, archaeologists found a small, exquisite wall
painting portraying the seduction of the Spartan queen Leda by the
Greek God Zeus, disguised as a swan.
"It was wonderful because it is very beautiful and in very good
condition," said Stefania Giudice, one of the conservationists
tasked with preserving the new discoveries.
The fresco's bright colors have already faded since the ash and
pumice were painstakingly removed last year as moisture on the
surface of the wall dried out, dulling the rich tones.
"We will clean it and protect it and get the beautiful colors back,"
Giudice said, predicting that the fresco-rich house, still partially
buried, would be opened to the public within one or two years as new
tourist routes were laid out.
Elsewhere, some graffiti contains graphic sexual references.
Perhaps one of the most significant finds was the least spectacular
at first sight - a brief charcoal inscription which cites the date
Oct. 17 written in the hallway of a grand house where at least six
bodies were also discovered.
Archaeologists believe the faint note might have been written just
before the eruption, meaning the disaster probably struck two months
later than previously thought.
Muscolino predicted it would take many years for scholars to
assimilate and interpret all the material recovered in recent
months, with trays of delicate glass, fresco fragments, plaster
moldings, coins and amphora stored away for future research.
More than 270 years after the first serious excavations began, a
third of the city, which covers roughly 165 acres (66.77 hectares),
remains buried and unexplored.
But there are no plans for further, major digs after this latest
project ends, with the emphasis now on conservation.
"Excavations are like having children. You have to take care of
them. You can't just abandon what you find and move on to the next
thing," said Giudice. "It is a real responsibility."
($1 = 0.8909 euros)
(Reporting by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Andrew Cawthorne)
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