Great review, with photos of the opening day Here
I will be attending the event as some stage and will be making my own review based on that.
Nice review of Melbourne Pompeii
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Author Archives: conorp
Getty Center Displays Extraordinary Bronze Statue
I was away for the last 2 weeks so i wasnt able to post any news. Everything should be back to normal from now on.
Update on Melbourne Museum Pompeii Exhibition
A gladiator’s helmet left behind in the ruins of Pompeii is the centrepiece of an exhibition to be unveiled in Melbourne today.
The 2,000-year-old bronze helmet is one of 250 items brought together at the Melbourne Museum to illustrate life in the ancient city.
Museum manager Brett Dunlop says the helmet survived the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and was recovered 200 years ago.
“A large number of gladiators’ helmets and shin guards and shoulder guards were found in what was most likely a storeroom in the gymnasium area,” he said.
“Most definitely the gladiators who were able to would have fled away when the volcano was erupting and a large number of pieces of their equipment were left behind.”
Full story: Here
ICE Seizes a Cultural Artifact Reported Stolen in Italy Almost 12 Years Ago
NEW YORK, NY.- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) today seized a Pompeii wall panel fresco from a Manhattan auction house that was reported stolen in Italy 12 years ago.
The fresco panel, which was the subject of an international search by INTERPOL, was located by the Art Loss Register of New York and brought to the attention of ICE and Italian Authorities. Italian authorities provided ICE agents via the ICE attaché in Rome with information and documents identifying the fresco panel as stolen and part of the cultural property of Italy.
The panel, rectangular with a white background depicting a female minister, white wash on plaster with a modern wooden frame, was previously located at the excavation office in Pompeii and was reported stolen with five other fresco panels on June 26, 1997.
The investigation revealed that, between 1903 and 1904, the Italian government authorized a farmer, Giuseppe De Martino, to restore his farmhouse, which was located on an archeological site in Boscoreale, province of Naples. During the restoration, six important frescos, originating from Pompeii were found.
On July 12, 1957, the Government of Italy purchased the frescos. On June 26, 1997, after the completion of work to the excavation site, the Italian government observed that the six frescos were missing and subsequently reported the theft.
The Carabinieri cultural patrimony unit previously recovered the other five of the six frescos.
“We are pleased to assist in the recovery of this fresco panel. It completes the collection of the six panels reported stolen from the Italian government close to 12 years ago.” said Peter J. Smith, special agent in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in New York. “ICE applauds the ALR for coming forward with information on the whereabouts of this precious cultural artifact, which will soon be returned to the Italian government.
Read the full article here
How to Digitally ‘Unroll’ 1,900-Year-Old Scrolls
“Around 79 AD, the eruption of the volcano Mount Vesuvius, in the central part of Italy, buried the twin cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum under 60 feet of ash and pumice. It all happened within the course of two days, but most victims were recorded during the first day. However, despite the massive devastation, from which no one escaped, a number of scrolls survived the fires and hot lava. But they are burned to a cinder, and only carbon can be found in them. Still, researchers have devised a method of obtaining the data out of them without actually having to open them.
The parchments, which were found at an excavated villa, contained many philosophical writings, as well as a number of other data, probably used for learning. When the first archaeologists who attempted to open them did so, the sheets of papyrus crumbled right out of their hands. The experts realized that the enormous heat they had been subjected to, as well as the centuries of confinement in solid ash and lava, had taken out all traces of elasticity from the material.
Because it’s now impossible to open the texts, and read them directly, University of Kentucky Computer Scientist Brent Seales, the Gill professor of engineering, has devised a new method of finding out the ancient wisdom on the papyrus. He plans to use an X-Ray CT scanning system to assess the documents, by recreating them in 3D from the inside out. If the task succeeds, then another computer team could easily use a computer software to digitally unfold the manuscripts, and to make out what is written on them, while at the same time maintaining their physical integrity.”
Article continued here
Lifestyles of the rich and Roman
“When the rich and famous in ancient Rome wanted a little fun in the sun, they headed to the Bay of Naples. Much like the Malibu area today, it was a destination spot for the well-heeled, where one could stroll on the beach, read in a secluded garden or dine in a luxurious villa.
A new exhibit at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art shows how little things have changed when it comes to how people with money spend it, and how they influence the average citizen. It also shows how material possessions can disappear in a single instant.
Pompeii and the Roman Villa: Art and Culture around the Bay of Naples features more than 100 sculptures, frescos and other artifacts from the area’s seaside villas, which were destroyed when the Mount Vesuvius volcano erupted on Aug. 24, 79, spewing devastating amounts of molten rock and ash. The cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed…………….”
View the rest of the article at the site below
Article from: http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2009/may/22/lifestyles-of-the-rich-and-roman/
Where open!- But not finished
Well i have decided to push the site live without it being 100% finished. I plan to post about all the latest pompeii news plus much more. The photos are still here, click the photos like above.
Finnaly, please comment on the posts and join the forum.
Conorp
Vesuvius, the world’s most closely watched volcano
Vesuvius, the world’s most closely watched volcanoNAPLES, Italy (AFP) — Nearly 2,000 years after wiping out Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius is among the most closely monitored volcanoes in the world, its every shudder recorded.
“Vesuvius is one of the world’s most dangerous volcanos: it is always active, and 600,000 people would be directly at risk if it erupts,” says vulcanologist Claudio Scarpati.
On the flanks of the volcano overlooking the bay of Naples in southern Italy, rising up nearly 1,300 metres (some 4,200 feet), several dozen sensors record seismic activity, the temperature of the gas emitted by the volcano and topographical changes.
Interesting article
A Day in Pompeii- Melbourne Museum
‘A Day in Pompeii’
Although the exhibition does not open until June, there is much talk and excitement about the soon to come ‘A Day in Pompeii’ exhibition. Taking on this exhibition is quite a good initiative considering that up to June 29 they had 2 body casts on display.
The Exhibit
The exhibit will feature “hundreds” of objects including room-size frescoes, marble and bronze sculptures, jewellery, gold coins and everyday household items
EVENT DETAILS
Event Type: Temporary Exhibition
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, 26 Jun – 25 Oct 2009
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursdays, 26 Jun – 11 Oct 2009
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Melbourne Museum Touring Hall
Adult $20 Concessions $14 Child $12 Family $54
