EXCAVATING HERCULANEUM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16389, 11 July 1927, Page 2

EXCAVATING HERCULANEUM

MODERN METHODS USED.

KING OF ITALY INAUGURATES * WORK. RESINA, Italy, MaylS. A labor .which has defied human ingenuity .for JS4S years is now iu progress under the auspices of the Italian Government. King Victor Emmanuel oilicially inaugurated the work of excavating the ancient. Roman city of Herculanuem, which, with its neighbor, Pompeii, was buried in 71) A.D. by an eruption of the neighboring volcano, Mouut. Vesuvius. Pompeii lias been excavated, but it is hoped that Herculaneum will prove an even richer trove of archaeological treasure, since it was a summer resort of the rich instead of being a commercial town .like Pompeii. The King came to the opening ceremony in regal style on board the royal yacht, accompanied by four destroyers and receiving salutes from all sides. A great throng welcomed the King on his arrival at Portici, built partly over the ruins of Pompeii. Many of the gathering came from families which in time past have suffered loss and death through the wrath of "the

mountain,” whose smoke - crowned heights formed the background for today’s ceremony. All the crowd were in holiday dross, the buildings and fishing boats in the harbor were decorated and even Vesuvius was declared to be smoking a little more freely. BUT;IED UNDER LAVA. Herculaneum, buried about a hundred feet under lava and mud, stretches up the slope of Vesuvius from the Bay of Naples. It lies partly under Resina and Portici and also under some of the vineyards which produce the famous “tears of Christ” wine. An exact picture of conditions of 'life in Roman times is expected to be found in stone-encrusted Herculaneum. Moisture destroyed the papyrus manuscripts in Pompeii, but since Hcrcu-

laneum was overwhelmed by lava, instead of ashes, directors of the excavation assert that it holds the last hope of finding unknown Graeco-Roman j'nanuscripts. Besides various illuminating facts about the daily life of the Romans, the excavators contemplate the possibility of discovering the library of some Roman gentleman which--might contain copies of some of tho popular Roman comedies which have been lost except for allusion to them by the, classical writers. Although the excavations were inaugurated officially to-day they have been going on for some time. In fact, the excavators were able to show i the ’ King an intricately - designed j mosaic floor about ten yards square which they found'recently. USE MODERN METHODS. At a given signal this morning _ aj group of workmen began digging with | picks while others sent drills burrowing into the volcanic tufa surrounding tho excavation. Incidentally this is said to be the first archaeological en- j terprise in which such modern excavating methods and machinery were utilised. TAKE YEARS TO COMPLETE. Excavation will proceed rapidly and tho debris will be carted away until a . point ten feet, above the buried city is i reached. After that the work will be continued by hand, all material being carefully examined and care taken to ; avoid breaking the precious objects sought. The part of the city already opened consists of one main street several hundred feet long, as well as side streets. Everything has been found well preserved, indicating that little was saved at the time of. the fatal eruption. It j ia expected that tho baths and a mini-) lier of houses will be uncovered this year, but completion of the undertaking will take many years.