early discoveries and the changing nature of excavations in the 19th and 20th centuries

Question 1

background

Answer 1

A spanish military engineer, Rocque Joaquin de Alcubierre was in charge of excavations at Herculaneum
Formal excavations at Pompeii began in March 1748. At first excavations were unorganised, until Fiorelli was appointed professor of Archaeology at Naples - he kept a record of all excavations & devised a plan for the exploration of the site
Latter part of the 19th century, excavations were extended and some of the most famous features were discovered [Central Baths, House of the Vettii, Temples, and the Villa of the Mysteries]
Early 20th Century, excavations continues, attempts made to conserve the site.
Many of the early archaeologists interested for own trophy and treasure rather than for education

Question 2

Giuseppe Fiorelli

ED

Answer 2

19th Cent. Director of Pompeii excavation

1863-1875

Question 3

Fiorelli Methods used/ developed

Answer 3

Developed system of top-down excavation of houses, preserving finds, more effectively & enabling restoration of buildings and interiors
invented/initiated technique of making plaster casts of victims
Dated & labelled the different objects that he found - QUITE SYSTEMATIC method of excavation

Question 4

fiorelli COntribuion

Answer 4

3 volume work- “History of Pompeian Antiquities”(1860-1864)
Studied materials and building methods - better understanding of houses & businesses BUT ALSO human remains as↓
Initiated technique of plaster casts of victims
Initiated system of regiones, insulae, and domus

Question 5

August Mau

ED

Answer 5

19th& 20th Centuries

Question 6

August Mau Contribution

Answer 6

Created “4-style” system - used for categorising frescoes - still used today

Question 7

Vittorio Spinazzola

ED

Answer 7

1910-1924

Question 8

Vittorio Spinazzola

method

Answer 8

Focused on Southern Region of the city [incl. Amphitheatre & Via dell’Abbondanza
Focused on discovering HOW town was planned rather than simply excavating site

Question 9

Spinazzola Contibution

Answer 9

Discovered many commercial enterprises [EG Stephanus’ Fullery, inns, shops]
Contributed significantly to our understanding of the Economy, different industries that her thriving before and at the time of the eruption

Question 10

Amedeo Maiuri

ED

Answer 10

1924- 1961 Chief archaeologist at Pompeii

Question 11

Amedeo Maiuri Method

Answer 11

Poineered excavation BELOW destruction level

Destroyed the destruction level to investigate life before the eruption

Question 12

Amedeo Maiuri contibution

Answer 12

Advanced knowledge of pre-eruption Pompeii from archaeological method

Question 13

Alfonso De Franciscis

ED

Answer 13

1964 - became dir. Of excavs.

Question 14

Alfonso De Franciscis Method

Answer 14

Restoration of uncovered buildings EMPHASISED

Question 15

Alfonso De Franciscis Contribution

Answer 15

Uncovered the House of C. Julius Polybius, town house of M. Fabian Rufus, & the Villa at Oplontis

Question 16

Baldassare Conticello

ED

Answer 16

1984

Question 17

Baldassare Conticello method

Answer 17

Did extensive & systematic restorations of buildings in Regio I & Regio II

Question 18

Baldassare Conticello contribtuion

Answer 18

Excavated the House of the Chaste Lovers

Question 19

Pietro Giovanni Guzzo ED

Answer 19

1994 Became dir. Of excavs.

Question 20

Pietro Giovanni Guzzo Method

Answer 20

Had to face management & financial problems related to excavations & restoration -> concerns e/ funding & corruption
Restoration of site - eg collapsing of areas of Pompei eg House of Gladiators

Question 21

Pietro Giovanni Guzzo COntribution

Answer 21

Excavated outside the Porta Stabia and in Medicine, where the Hospitium dei Sulpici has been uncovered
buildings