Excavation
Pompeii
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Althought the disaster of Mount Vesuvius was a massive event that stayed in the minds of people for many years, it was eventually forgotten. Although some writtings and recounts still existed that hinted at the location of Pompeii and Herculaneum, it was not until 1748, when workers were building a summer palace for King Charles III of Naples, that ruins were accidentaly stumbled on.
King Charles III took an interest in the discovery, wanting to collect the artefacts for his own private collection. As such, Kng Charles III funded the original excavations into Pomeii, however, much of this excavation was done improperly and without care, and much of Pompeii's history was lost, broken, or stolen during this time. It was not until several years into this dig that the buildings discovered were actually part of Pompeii, when the necropolis and the temple of Isis were uncovered.
Digging continued, but was infrequent and somewhat random. It was in the period of 1806-1815 when activity on the site picked up again, uncovering the house of the faun, and a large mosiac depicting Alexander the Great, inspiring greater interest in the project. After the unification of Italy in 1861, an archeologist named Giuseppe Fiorelli was placed as the director of the project. Fiorelli's appointment as director signified a turning point for the dig at Pompeii, as up until now poor records had been kept, digging was somewhat random, and art works had been detached and placed in museums. Fiorelli instead kept detailed records of his digs, systematically worked his way throughPompeii, joining up key buildings and structures, and kept art works in place.
King Charles III took an interest in the discovery, wanting to collect the artefacts for his own private collection. As such, Kng Charles III funded the original excavations into Pomeii, however, much of this excavation was done improperly and without care, and much of Pompeii's history was lost, broken, or stolen during this time. It was not until several years into this dig that the buildings discovered were actually part of Pompeii, when the necropolis and the temple of Isis were uncovered.
Digging continued, but was infrequent and somewhat random. It was in the period of 1806-1815 when activity on the site picked up again, uncovering the house of the faun, and a large mosiac depicting Alexander the Great, inspiring greater interest in the project. After the unification of Italy in 1861, an archeologist named Giuseppe Fiorelli was placed as the director of the project. Fiorelli's appointment as director signified a turning point for the dig at Pompeii, as up until now poor records had been kept, digging was somewhat random, and art works had been detached and placed in museums. Fiorelli instead kept detailed records of his digs, systematically worked his way throughPompeii, joining up key buildings and structures, and kept art works in place.
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/1/0/24108892/2133897.jpg?392)
Fiorelli also pioneered the practice of taking plaster casts of the citizens of Pompeii, which has helped historians gain a greater understanding of what happened at Pompeii.
Since then, work has spread out from Pompeii, uncovering a villas streching throughout the surrounding area. However, recent years have seen funding and work scaled down on excavation work, with the main focus being on restoring what has already been uncovered.
Since then, work has spread out from Pompeii, uncovering a villas streching throughout the surrounding area. However, recent years have seen funding and work scaled down on excavation work, with the main focus being on restoring what has already been uncovered.
Herculaneum
![Picture](/uploads/2/4/1/0/24108892/1786304.jpg?655)
The site of Herculaneum was discovered in 1738 when excavations were being done for a well. Originally further exploration of Herculaneum was completed using a system of tunnels and shafts, until open air digs began in 1828.
Although a good portion of Herculaneum has been uncovered, it is thought that as much as 75% may still lie covered, and work has mainly focused on uncovering the shoreline in recent years.
Although a good portion of Herculaneum has been uncovered, it is thought that as much as 75% may still lie covered, and work has mainly focused on uncovering the shoreline in recent years.