BURIED ROMAN CITY EXCAVATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 47, 18 May 1927, Page 10

BURIED ROMAN CITY EXCAVATED

WORK AT HERCULANEUM ITALIAN PEOPLE PLEASED By Cable.—Press Association. —Copyright ROME, Monday. The colossal task of excavating the ancient Roman city of. Herculaneum 1848 years after its destruction was officially commenced to-day. 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. To-day the entire population of Portici made holiday. The streets were strewn with flowers. Professor Najuri, 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, as 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 air, 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. —A. and N.Z.