3.2 Changing Interpretations: Impact of new research and technologies –

Question 1

Maiuri (1942) and Penelope Allison (1992) believe Pompeii was in economic what after eruption?

Answer 1

➢ Maiuri (1942) and Penelope Allison (1992) believe Pompeii was in economic decline after AD 62 earthquake. Said buildings lacked repairs and houses were abandoned or being used by squatters.

Question 2

How did Alison Cooley → challenged Maiuri (1942) and Penelope Allison’s belief of economic decline?

Answer 2

challenged this view; said people may have been rebuilding or redecorating.

Question 3

What human remains said about the eruption➢ Estelle Lazer (1986)

Answer 3

➢ Estelle Lazer (1986) → challenged old interpretation that those who died were the ones who could not leave; e.g. old/sick people. Lazer says that remains reflected a full cross-section of society in both P+H. E.g. → Lady of Oplontis; was aged between 30-40, was in good health and appeared to be wealthy (gold bracelet, clutching money purse at time of death).

Question 4

What human remains said about the eruption:how did Sara Bisel/Luigi Capasso (1982) support Lazer

Answer 4

➢ Sara Bisel/Luigi Capasso (1982) support Lazer, saying the 139 skeletons in Herculaneum represent normal cross-section of the population.

Question 5

Changing interpretations of buildings➢ Penelope Allison

Answer 5

➢ Penelope Allison → changed interpretations of how rooms were used; puts forward concept that rooms had multiple uses.

Question 6

Changing interpretations of buildings:➢ Archaeologist Tina Najbjerg

Answer 6

believes basilicas at P+H had multiple uses.

Question 7

Changing interpretations of buildings:➢ Wallace-Hadrill

Answer 7

→ argues there were far fewer brothels in Pompeii than historians say; states Romans had a type of zoning in place

Question 8

Impact of new research and technologies:

Answer 8

➢ Previously, archaeologists would records finds through sketches/photographs. Now, digital cameras, scanners, x-rays and computer enhancements are used.

Question 9

➢Impact of new research and technologies: New projects:

Answer 9

• Philodemus project: unrolling and reading of scrolls found in Villa of Papyri.
• Neapolis project: attempt to provide a system of interlinked databases of Vesuvius region.

Question 10

➢ Study of skeletal remains has changed idea of what?

Answer 10

➢ Study of skeletal remains has changed idea that only elderly, women and children were those who died in eruption; from new studies, appears that full cross-section of society is present at both P+H.

Question 11

who studied teeth?

Answer 11

➢ Sarah Bisel studied teeth, many had dental problems due to grit in food

Question 12

➢ Studies by Luigi Capasso have revealed what?

Answer 12

➢ Studies by Luigi Capasso have revealed that most people were in good health; incidence of disease was no higher in P+H than in modern Western countries.

Question 13

1995 what officially opened?

Answer 13

➢ Vesuvius National Park officially opened.

Question 14

1996

Answer 14

➢ Excavation on house of Papyri commenced → controversial.

Question 15

1997

Answer 15

➢ Pompeii, Herculaneum, Stabiae and Villa of Oplontis declared World Heritage sites.
➢ Italian govt. passes law so that P+H receive all money collected from entry fees.

Question 16

1998

Answer 16

➢ Excavations stopped at Villa of Papyri.

Question 17

2004

Answer 17

➢ Conserved and restored sections of the Villa of Papyri opened to the public.

Question 18

ongoing debate as whether P+H should be what?

Answer 18

➢ Has been an ongoing debate as whether P+H should be excavated further or whether the sites should be conserved and protected from further destruction.

Question 19

➢ Conservation supporters insists what/???

Answer 19

➢ Conservation supporters insist that if we continue to excavate/reconstruct, it will only be putting the uncovered archaeological evidence at risk; will also be putting already uncovered evidence in danger through neglect and failed attempts at reconstruction. An e.g. of this is the many frescoes in P+H; attempts to restore them have led to many being damaged beyond repair, and worst off than when they started.

Question 20

➢ Proponents for further excavation/reconstruction have said what??

Answer 20

➢ Proponents for further excavation/reconstruction have said there is huge amount of uncovered evidence, and that restoring evidence can show the public what it was really like for Romans at the time.

Question 21

What type of influence concerns C/E/R

Answer 21

➢ Have been political influences on issue of conservation and excavation/reconstruction;

Question 22

Damage to Pompeii and Herculaneum:: 3

Answer 22

➢ Both sites present problems as they are open air museums. Excavated areas in P+H have been exposed to the elements, and crumbled away due to lack of effective protection.
➢ Acidic pigeon droppings have damaged frescoes.
➢ Weeds/shrubs attempt to grow over the ruins; the roots push at walls and crack floors. Also, the pictures are fading due to exposure from sun/rain.

Question 23

Impact of tourism:

Answer 23

➢ More and more tourists have come to P+H; Pompeii receives 2.5 million visitors a year, while Herculaneum receives 500,000.
➢ Pompeii is now very seriously threatened by tourism, pollution and vandalism.
➢ Trampling feet destroy ancient pavements/lead pipes, and people damage buildings by writing their names on them and stealing fragments of pottery.

Question 24

➢ To solve the problems affecting P+H, money needs to be poured into protecting them. 3 organisations have been founded;

Answer 24

; the Pompeii Trust, World Monuments Watch and the Kress Foundation.

Question 25

+ debate as to whether we should collect/study human remains

Answer 25

New discoveries/information can be obtained by studying these bodies

Question 26

• debate as to whether we should collect/study human remains

Answer 26

Some believe remains should be reburied → is disrespectful to have bodies on display.

Question 27

long tradition of collecting human remains for study/display shifted towards what need/intent?

Answer 27

; in 2nd half of 20th century, there has been increasing pressure for these bones to be reburied.

Question 28

argument against body display, better option?

Answer 28

➢ New technology → holographic displays of bodies; may mean that bodies would not be directly displayed, with a likeness presented instead.

Question 29

Giuseppe Fiorelli

1860-1875

Answer 29

1. Developed scientific approach by keeping written record of excavations and preparing methodical system for excavation of P+H.
2. Cleared away all earth, ash and lapilli and set up roofs to protect sites.
3. Divided Pompeii into regions and insulae, giving each a name/grid number, and each house a number.
4. Excavated from roof of building downwards.
5. 1863 → invented plaster casting method which made moulds of cavities left in hardened ash by bodies and other objects. Gave a realistic representation of human bodies, animals, furniture and food.

Question 30

August Mau

1873-1909

Answer 30

➢ German archaeologist who categorised all Pompeian wall paintings into four main styles.