Pompeii Threat Update

Posted by Natasha Sheldon Jul 27, 2008

It seems that the recent one year rescue package for Pompeii is woefully insufficient for its needs. Experts believe that what is required is a meticulous, permanent programme of intervention and preservation to protect the site form visitors and the environment.

Many of the site's problems stem from the fact that visitor's have so much uninhibited freedom to explore. The more unscrupulous are taking advantage of the site's lack of security to help them selves to souvenirs from the site, scrawl graffiti on the buildings and take pictures of delicate frescos which can potentially destroy them. Then there is the fact that the current organisation is finding it difficult to manage the upkeep of the site. Many buildings under maintenance, such as the house of the Vettii have been closed for years whilst other buildings are slowly crumbling due to neglect.

Attempts to maintain the site are sporadic and need to be more carefully organised and implemented to keep the site open but more importantly preserve it for future generations.