Pompeii Excavation
In the 16th century Count Muzio Tuttavilla began work in the Sarno river valley with the aim of digging a canal
During the excavations, the architect Fontana found some buildings with decorated walls
This find was recorded and left at that, while the works on the canal continued
Excavations in Pompeii began again in 1748
The digs at Pompeii were the greatest excavation work ever carried out, continuing to the present day
Whereas Herculaneum was covered by a mud slide, Pompeii was easier to unearth being covered in layers of ash and lapilli stones
In 1860, Giuseppe Fiorelli was appointed director of the archaeological site at Pompeii
He planned house to-house excavations, and was careful to ensure that houses did not collapse
The findings show clearly how the people of Pompeii lived in Roman times (79AD)
Serious problems remain as the Italian State has refused to spend much public money in this sector
Pompeii attracts around 2.5 million visitors per year, making it one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy
During the excavations, the architect Fontana found some buildings with decorated walls
This find was recorded and left at that, while the works on the canal continued
Excavations in Pompeii began again in 1748
The digs at Pompeii were the greatest excavation work ever carried out, continuing to the present day
Whereas Herculaneum was covered by a mud slide, Pompeii was easier to unearth being covered in layers of ash and lapilli stones
In 1860, Giuseppe Fiorelli was appointed director of the archaeological site at Pompeii
He planned house to-house excavations, and was careful to ensure that houses did not collapse
The findings show clearly how the people of Pompeii lived in Roman times (79AD)
Serious problems remain as the Italian State has refused to spend much public money in this sector
Pompeii attracts around 2.5 million visitors per year, making it one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy