Update: Pompeii

Update: Pompeii

 

A wall at the ancient city of Pompeii has collapsed on November 30th, 2012.

 

This wouldn't be a big deal if it wasn't a wall thats been preserved for thousands of years, and its not the sixth wall in two years. It might not sound like a big deal, but considering archaeologists think that more walls are going to be coming down soon, it definetly takes a toll.

 

This brings up the question: How do we preserve these buildings and structures? Mother nature is not going to take a respite from the weather (rainstorms that swept through southern Italy allegedly weakened the foundation).

 

I recall our trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where there was one statue, of Dionysius, that was actually destroyed in the past, but there it was, rebuilt, and looking as grand as ever. Parts of other statues we're used to rebuild it. Could we use that technique to rebuild some of these walls, not with walls from other parts of Pompeii and Herculaneum, but with modern tools?

 

I beleive so. If we want to preserve history, there must be some sacrifices. Why take away from another part of the city, when you can just build an entirely new structure. Pompeii is one of Italys most famous tourist attractions, so if the plans to rebuild the city, funded by the Italian government and heralded by Manuela Ghizzoni, the head of the Italian Cultural Commission.