Vivid frescoes and never-before-seen inscriptions were among the treasures unearthed in a massive years-long restoration of the world-famous archaeological site Pompeii that came to a close Tuesday.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
The painstaking project saw an army of workers reinforce walls, repair collapsing structures and excavate untouched areas of the sprawling site, Italy's second most visited tourist destination after Rome's Colosseum.
New discoveries were made too, in areas of the ruins not yet explored by modern-day archaeologists at the site -- frequently pillaged for jewels and artefacts over the centuries.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
Archaeologists discovered in October a vivid fresco depicting an armour-clad gladiator standing victorious as his wounded opponent gushes blood, painted in a tavern believed to have housed the fighters as well as prostitutes.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
And in 2018, an inscription was uncovered that proves the city near Naples was destroyed after October 17, 79 AD, and not on August 24 as previously believed.
That might not be the end of fresh discoveries.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
Kicked off in 2014, the restoration enlisted teams of archaeologists, architects, engineers, geologists and anthropologists and cost $113 million (105 million euros), largely covered by the European Union.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
The project was initiated after UNESCO warned in 2013 it could strip the site of its World Heritage status after a series of collapses blamed on lax maintenance and bad weather. But the project has breathed new life into the historic site.
On Tuesday, workers carefully restored ancient frescoes, hues dulled by years of dirt and calcifications, and cleaned off centuries-old tile floors.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
"Little by little," he added, with a smile.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
The 'House of Lovers' was named after a Latin verse inscribed on a wall next to an image of a duck reading "Lovers like bees live a life as sweet as honey".
The giant eruption of Mount Vesuvius devastated the ancient Roman city of Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago, covering everything in its path with volcanic ash.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
Some of the site has been closed to the public during the restoration, including several "domus" -- family residences for the upper classes -- that have been since reopened to the public.
Credit: Pompeii - Parco Archeologico |
Though the bulk of the restoration work is now complete, director Osanna said running repairs will never truly be over.
"It's a city in ruins," he said. "The attention we pay to it must never stop."
Author: Alexandria Sage | Source: AFP [February 18, 2020]
* This article was originally published here
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий