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Herculaneum was originally discovered
when a well was being dug in the early 18th Century at a depth of 50
– 60 feet below the modern surface. Initially a series of ‘robber’
shafts and tunnels were dug to strip the site of any saleable
valuables. However, between 1749 to 1765 Herculaneum was explored on
a more scientific basis for the Bourbon Kings of Naples and the Two
Sicilies, initially under the supervision of Rocco Gioacchino
Alcubierre and then his assistant Carlo Weber. A basic plan of the
town was mapped out and much of the portable remains removed but
eventually these tunnels collapsed and were closed down. The modern
towns of Resina and Portici grew up over the site and knowledge of
where the entrances to the tunnels were was lost to the scientific
community.
In the 20th Century, archaeological excavations re-commenced on a
more modern and scientific basis fully uncovering a small section of
the town but it was found that the earlier tunnelling had damaged
the structure of much of the surviving buildings. The site is also
suffering from exposure to the elements and the periodic earth
tremors, so there is a constant battle to try and preserve the
remains. Recent archaeological work at the site has rediscovered
potentially one of the greatest treasure houses of contemporary
Roman knowledge. The Villa of the Papyri was initially thought to
contain unreadable charred scrolls, fused into solid lumps when it
was originally excavated in the 18th Century. It was found that
using various techniques some of the scrolls could be eased open and
at least part of their contents read. |
