Excavations and Discoveries Pompeii and Herculaneum

Excavations and Discoveries Pompeii and Herculaneum are among the earliest archaeological sites in the world. In AD79 Mt Vesuvius erupted violently. Herculaneum is buried under 20 metres of ash.

Excavations and Discoveries Both cities were discovered by accident. Pompeii was discovered when workmen digging a canal uncovered walls decorated with paintings. Herculaneum was discovered when workers digging an artesian well discovered marble fragments from the theatre of Herculaneum.

Excavations and Discoveries In 1748 Rocco Gioacchino de Alcubierre began excavations at Pompeii. Throughout the 1700s excavations continued and moveable objects were taken for private collections and museums. In 1778 the first plan of the site was drawn

Excavations and Discoveries 1750 – 65 Karl Webber at Herculaneum Who was Karl Webber and why is he important to the excavation of Herculaneum?

Excavations and Discoveries Early 18 th Century – excavation continued under the direction of the French monarchy. The Forum was uncovered, as were some major houses. Pompeii became a tourist attraction.

Excavations and Discoveries Treasure Hunting – In the early days both sites were looted, e.g. paintings cut from walls, mosaics lifted from floors and statues, vases, coins etc removed and added to private collections without their location being recorded. Why would this be a problem for 20 th century archaeologists? Bronze statue from the House of the Faun

Excavations and Discoveries 1860 – Giuseppe Fiorelli (Director of Excavations) Describe the work of Giuseppe Fiorelli. Why is he called a pioneer of modern archaeological methods? Hint: Fiorelli’s gruesome art

Excavations and Discoveries 1910 – 1923 Vittorio Spinazzola Cleared the main street Via dell’Abbondanza. Reconstructed many of the facades of buildings. One of the first archaeologists to record the phases of excavation in photographs. One of the first archaeologists to record the phases of excavation in photographs.

Excavations and Discoveries Amedeo Maiuri (excavated before and after WW2) Cleared TEN insulae in Pompeii and made significant finds in Herculaneum. Name ONE building Maiuri uncovered. Why have his methods been criticised? Interesting fact: Allied bombing and the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 1944 inflict damage on the sites. The Nazi’s stole objects for their private collection.

Excavations and Discoveries In 1980 an earthquake struck Pompeii and authorities realised something must be done to halt further deteriation. The European community gave 36 billion to the restoration of Pompeii but work has been slow. In 1982 dozens of skeletons were discovered in boat chambers. Sara Bisel excavated and studied those skeletons.