Excavations and Discoveries Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Excavations and Excavations and DiscoveriesDiscoveries

Excavations and Excavations and DiscoveriesDiscoveries

Pompeii and HerculaneumPompeii and HerculaneumPompeii and HerculaneumPompeii and Herculaneum

Excavations and DiscoveriesExcavations and DiscoveriesExcavations and DiscoveriesExcavations and Discoveries

Pompeii and Herculaneum are among Pompeii and Herculaneum are among the earliest archaeological sites in the earliest archaeological sites in the world.the world.

In AD79 Mt Vesuvius erupted violently. Herculaneum is buried under 20 metres of ash.


Both cities were discovered by accident. Both cities were discovered by accident. Pompeii was discovered when Pompeii was discovered when workmen digging a canal uncovered workmen digging a canal uncovered walls decorated with paintings. walls decorated with paintings.

Herculaneum was Herculaneum was discovered when workers discovered when workers digging an artesian well digging an artesian well discovered marble discovered marble fragments from the fragments from the theatre of Herculaneum.theatre of Herculaneum.


In 1748 Rocco Gioacchino de Alcubierre began In 1748 Rocco Gioacchino de Alcubierre began excavations at Pompeii. Throughout the 1700s excavations at Pompeii. Throughout the 1700s excavations continued and moveable objects excavations continued and moveable objects were taken for private collections and museums. were taken for private collections and museums.

In 1778 the first plan of In 1778 the first plan of the site was drawnthe site was drawn


1750 – 65 Karl Webber at Herculaneum

Who was Karl Webber and why is he important to the excavation of Herculaneum?


Early 18th Century – excavation continued under the direction of the French monarchy.

The Forum was uncovered, as were some major houses. Pompeii became a tourist attraction.


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

Bronze statue from the House of the Bronze statue from the House of the FaunFaunBronze statue from the House of the Bronze statue from the House of the FaunFaun


1860 – Giuseppe Fiorelli (Director of 1860 – Giuseppe Fiorelli (Director of Excavations) Excavations)

Describe the work of Describe the work of Giuseppe Fiorelli. Giuseppe Fiorelli.

Why is he called a pioneer Why is he called a pioneer of modern archaeological of modern archaeological methods?methods?

Hint: Fiorelli’s gruesome artHint: Fiorelli’s gruesome art


1910 – 1923 Vittorio Spinazzola1910 – 1923 Vittorio SpinazzolaCleared the main street Via dell’Abbondanza. Cleared the main street Via dell’Abbondanza.

Reconstructed many of the facades of buildings. Reconstructed many of the facades of buildings. One of the first archaeologists to record the One of the first archaeologists to record the phases of excavation in photographs. phases of excavation in photographs.

One of the first One of the first archaeologists to archaeologists to record the phases of record the phases of excavation in excavation in photographs.photographs.


Amedeo Maiuri Amedeo Maiuri (excavated before and (excavated before and after WW2)after WW2)Cleared TEN insulae in Pompeii and Cleared TEN insulae in Pompeii and

made significant finds in Herculaneum.made significant finds in Herculaneum.

Name ONE building Maiuri Name ONE building Maiuri uncovered.uncovered.

Why have his methods Why have his methods been criticised?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.

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.


In 1980 an earthquake struck Pompeii and In 1980 an earthquake struck Pompeii and authorities realised something must be done authorities realised something must be done to halt further deteriation. The European to halt further deteriation. The European community gave 36 billion to the restoration community gave 36 billion to the restoration of Pompeii but work has been slow.of Pompeii but work has been slow.

In 1982 dozens of In 1982 dozens of skeletons were skeletons were discovered in boat discovered in boat chambers. Sara Bisel chambers. Sara Bisel excavated and studied excavated and studied those skeletons.those skeletons.

Excavations and Discoveries Pompeii and Herculaneum.

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