HERCULANEUM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 115, 18 May 1927, Page 7

HERCULANEUM.

EXCAVATION TASK.

Unearthing Historic City of

Ancient Times.

REJOICINGS AT BEGINNING.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

ROME, May 17. The colossal task of excavating the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum 1848 years after its destruction was officially commenced yesterday. All the scientific means at the disposal of the Italian Government are to be used in the work. The Royal yacht conveyed Ministers and distinguished British and American visitors to Portici, Naples., King Victor Emmanuel and his suite proceeded there in a destroyer. The Director of Fine Arts, in addressing the King, recalled past efforts to penetrate the secrets of the hidden city. At the conclusion of his speech he gave a signal to the waiting workmen. Curious engines, mechanical perforators and spades immediately began to hum, and scores of men started to remove the earth. Nothing the Prime Minister, Signor. Mussolini, has done has pleased the people of the nation more than his decision to excavate Herculaneum. Yesterday the entire population of Portici made holiday. The streets were strewn with flowers. Professor Xajuri, the chief director of the excavations, says no one can foresee or make any surmise as to the character and extent of the population of Herculaneum. References to the city by scholars have mostly been conjecture. It is not known how far the city extended over the slopes. It is certain that it contained some imposing summer residences of wealthy Romans, afe well as works of art, mural paintings, sculptures and bronzes. It is also likely that documents and missing manuscripts of Roman writers may be discovered. Herculaneum was first swept by blasts of hot, fiery dust, which smothered the inhabitants. The city was covered five or six days after the eruption by layers of moving earth, mud and gravel. Hardly any lava has been found, and, therefore, Professor Najuri says it is not true to say the city was buried under solid lava.

The ruined city of Herculaneum lies buried at the north-western base of Mt. Vesuvius, five miles east of Naples. In 16 A.D. it was seriously injured by a violent earthquake, and in 79 came the eruption, which annihilated it along witk Pompeii, when streams of lava and showers of ashes buried the unfortunate cities so deeply that they were completely lost to sight for centuries. In 1738 systematic excavations were commenced, the chief building explored being the theatre, which has eighteen rows of stone seats, and could accommodate 8000 persons. The discoveries render possible the domestic life of the ancients, and many beautiful wall paintings and statues have been brought to light. Among the art relics of Herculaneum, which far exceed in value and interest those found at Pompeii, are many beautiful statues now in the National Museum at Naples.