HERCULANEUM.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18291, 14 June 1929, Page 4

HERCULANEUM.

TREASURES COME TO LIGHT. FURNITURE AND STATUETTES. Important discoveries have been made recently during the excavations of Herculaneum, which was resumed eighteen months ago in the presence of King Victor Emmanuel. During this time work has been carried on in the vicinity of what has been called the Villa of Plato. A few months ago a change of direction was begun, when the foundations of the villa were excavated. It was then decided to continue the excavations down towards the sea. For thi* purpose it was necessary to expropriate vineyards and remove the earth to j the levbi of the former excavations. Naturally all this took time, even though electrical shovels hastened the work. Disclose Public Baths. What has been discovered is of great interest. Foundations of a Sannite j house were uncovered under the Villa j of Plato. Just across the street weiv j excavated what has been identified as one of the public baths, of which Herculaneum was well supplied, as during the season Romans flocked here for the sun and milk cure, as well as the mineral baths. There is a Palestra. I undressing rooms, hot steam rooms, all 1 of large dimensions: What is characteristic of the houses found during the excavations is that the two-storey villa is the rule, and not the exception, as in Pompeii. In some of these houses there still stand intact the wooden beams, though charred, owing to the effect of the molten lava which covered them during the eruption of 79 A.D. There are in some cases the second floor rooms still standing, v/ith the walls in good state of preservation. and with the decorations still fresh. What is of interest is that tin, furniture is still in place. No Skeletons Found. The lava prevented the householders from returning, as was the case at Pompeii, and removing what had not | been consumed by fire. The beds, though charred, are still intact. There can be seen the inlaid work, which is .‘■Dili in good taste, though eighteen centuries have passed since they were built. No skeletons were found, which is an indication that the people of the houses escaped without trying to save anything except portable objects. The houses were near enough to the sea for the family to escape from the doomed city by means of boats, which were always anchored near the beach When the excavations were under- J taken on the street leading to the sea, | foundations of a villa belonging to a ; very rich family were found. There was I cleared the gate cf wood which led to ! the atriums and Gynaeceum, that part ' of the Greek house which was set apart for women of the family. In many ways it was similar to what the Turks until recently called the harem. This discovery is of the utmost importance, as there have been numerous discussions regarding the exact position of this quarter. Some archaeologists believed it to be at the back of the house. This new house is unusual, as it has three floors. The Imrluvium, the basin I which gathered the rain, which flowed ! through the opening in the roof of the ! atrium, was found. It was made of | marble and of mosaics, with a grace- ; fully designed marble table in the | centre. I This residence is one of the finest ! ever excavated in Herculaneum. What is of the utmost importance is that I the piping of the Impluvium on roof is intact. There was a special system used so that the collected rain water not only fell into the basin, in the centre of the hall, but the greater part of it was drained off into a well for domestic use in the house. In this villa, besides a collection of furniture, there were found bronze statuettes representing Mercury, Diana Apollo, the Goddess of Plenty. Silence, and a marble statue of great beauty. It was 3ft high, and represented a Phrygian slave. Terra cotta vases, rare glasses, including botUes for domestic and ornamental use, were found, as well as a crushing press for olives. This family evidently made their own oil.