Excavations have resumed in Pompeii at the famous Villa of the Mysteries, probably the best-known building at the UNESCO site, located outside the ancient city walls in the direction of Herculaneum. This morning, Archaeological Park Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel and Torre Annunziata Public Prosecutor Nunzio Fragliasso outlined developments in the new excavation of the villa’s northern sector, made possible following the demolition of an illegal construction above it, thanks to an agreement with the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The Villa of the Mysteries is best known for its famous mystery frieze, a unique work of art. However, another megalography with similar depictions was recently unearthed in the so-called House of the Thiasos, located within the archaeological site.
The first excavations date back to 1909-1910 and were conducted by private individuals, but they did not provide adequate protection for the discovered frescoes. It was not until 1929-1930 that the villa was systematically and scientifically investigated by superintendent Amedeo Maiuri, who managed to finance the operations thanks to the support of the Bank of Naples. However, Maiuri failed to explore the entire structure: in fact, the northwestern area remained inaccessible because there was a house above it. Over the years, this house was illegally expanded, becoming a highly impactful element on the value of the site, until its demolition was ordered in 2023. The operation took place as part of a memorandum of understanding between the Torre Annunziata Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Archaeological Park, with the aim of combating the illicit trafficking of archaeological finds.
Thanks to this agreement, at the request of the Park, the Prosecutor’s Office launched investigations that revealed the presence of illegal archaeological excavations: clandestine tunnels started right from the house and headed toward the Villa of the Mysteries. This led to a series of preliminary surveys, which then culminated in the demolition of the illegal building.
Subsequently, a new protocol was signed between the two institutions, with the intention of combating squatting in areas adjacent to archaeological sites. Under this agreement, the Park bears the costs of demolition, and then acquires the land where the squatter buildings stood to the state property.
“Now we are continuing this work,” explains Park Director Gabriel Zuchtriegel, “with the twofold goal of documenting the clandestine excavations, thus helping the Public Prosecutor’s Office in its investigative work, and finally completing the work of Director Maiuri and bringing to light the remaining part of the villa. This is the main entrance to the villa and a significant part of the servile quarters. The data we have collected so far is very promising, despite the looting by illegal immigrants: intact remains of the upper floor are emerging, which bodes well for the structures below. Our project, however, is only a first step; we are now looking for funds to complete it.”
In the area currently being investigated, the ancient entrance to the villa, Via Superior, or the stretch of road facing the entrance, and the upper floor of the villa’s servile quarters are emerging. On the opposite side, the embankment retaining wall to the east of the road and a rectangular, barrel-vaulted cistern to the side of the via Superior. For more details, you can read the in-depth article published in the E-journal of Pompeii Archaeological Park https://pompeiisites.org/e-journal-degli-scavi-di-pompei/.
“The resumption of archaeological excavations in the Villa of the Mysteries was made possible thanks to the synergistic collaboration between the Archaeological Park of Pompeii and the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Torre Annunziata, which led first to the stipulation and renewal of the protocol on the subject of combating illegal trafficking in archaeological finds and then to the stipulation of the protocol on the subject of financing the demolition of illegal works carried out in the area subject to archaeological constraints under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii,” says Prosecutor Nunzio Fragliasso. “By virtue of this collaboration between the two institutions, not only was the demolition of the house subject to unauthorized works overhanging the Villa of the Mysteries carried out, but also the demolition, financed with funds from the Archaeological Park, of an entirely unauthorized structure, intended for catering activities, located in the area in front of the Villa of the Mysteries.”
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| Pompeii, excavations resume at Villa of Mysteries after demolition of illegal construction |
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