At Herculaneum

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19843, 18 May 1927, Page 7

At Herculaneum

EXCAVATIONS COMMENCE Will City, Long Buried, Give up its Secrets? COLOSSAL TASK BEGUN SCIENTISTS EXPECT TO LEARN MUCH. [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received May 17, 8 p.m. (A.P.A.-Sun) ROME, May 16. The colossal task of excavating Herculaneum 1848 years after its destruction was officially started with all scientific means at the Government’s disposal The Royal yacht conveyed Ministers and distinguished British and American visitors to Porrtici. The King with his suite proceeded thither in a destroyer.

The Director of Fine Arts, address* ing the King, recalled past efforts to penetrate the secrets of the hidden town, and at the conclusion of the speech gave the signal to the waiting workmen, upon which curious engines, mechanical perforators and spades, began to hum and scores of men started removing the earth. Nothing Signor Mussolini has done has pleased the nation more than his decision to excavate Herculaneum. Today the entire population of Porrtici is making holiday, and tho streets are strewn with flowers.

Professor Najuri, chief director of the excavations, states that none can foresee the surprises that may come.

As to the characetr and extent of the population of Herculaneum, scholars’ references are mostly conjecture. It is not known how far the city extended over the slopes, but it is certain that it contained the important summer residences of wealthy Romans, as well as works of art, mural paintings, sculptures, and bronzes, while it is likely that documents and missing manuscripts of Roman writers may be discovered.

Herculaneum was first swept by the blasts of hot fiery air, which smothered the inhabitants, and the town was covered five or six days after the eruption of Vesuvius by layers of moving earth, mud and gravel. Hardly any lava has been found, hence it is not true to say that the town, is buried under solid lava.