In Pompeii, new evidence shows signs of life post-eruption
Despite the massive destruction suffered by Pompeii, an ancient Roman city home to more than 20,000 people before the eruption, some survivors who could not afford to start a new life elsewhere are believed to have returned to live in the devastated area. Archaeologists believe they were joined by others looking for a place to settle and hoping to find valuable items left by Pompeii's earlier residents in the rubble.
"Judging by the archaeological data, it must have been an informal settlement where people lived in precarious conditions, without the infrastructure and services typical of a Roman city," before the area was completely abandoned in the fifth century, they said in a statement. While some life returned to the upper floors of the old houses, the former ground floors were converted into cellars with ovens and mills.
15 to 20% of population died in eruption
"Thanks to the new excavations, the picture is now clearer: post-79 Pompeii reemerges, more than a city, a precarious and grey agglomeration, a kind of camp, a favela among the still recognizable ruins of the Pompeii that once was," said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the site.
Archaeologists estimate that 15 to 20% of Pompeii's population died in the eruption, mostly from thermal shock as a giant cloud of gases and ash covered the city.
Evidence that the site was reoccupied had been detected in the past, but in the rush to access Pompeii's colourful frescoes and still-intact homes, "the faint traces of the site's reoccupation were literally removed and often swept away without any documentation". "The momentous episode of the city's destruction in 79 AD has monopolised the memory," said Zuchtriegel.
Volcanic ash then buried the Roman city, perfectly preserving the homes, public buildings, objects and even the people until its discovery in the late 16th century.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pompeii is Italy's second most-visited tourist spot after the Colosseum in Rome, with some 4.17 million visitors last year. It covers a total area of approximately 22 hectares (54.4 acres), a third of which is still buried under ash.
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LeMonde
4 days ago
- LeMonde
In Pompeii, new evidence shows signs of life post-eruption
Archaeologists have discovered new evidence pointing to the reoccupation of Pompeii following the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius that left the city in ruins, the directors of the famous site said Wednesday, August 6. Despite the massive destruction suffered by Pompeii, an ancient Roman city home to more than 20,000 people before the eruption, some survivors who could not afford to start a new life elsewhere are believed to have returned to live in the devastated area. Archaeologists believe they were joined by others looking for a place to settle and hoping to find valuable items left by Pompeii's earlier residents in the rubble. "Judging by the archaeological data, it must have been an informal settlement where people lived in precarious conditions, without the infrastructure and services typical of a Roman city," before the area was completely abandoned in the fifth century, they said in a statement. While some life returned to the upper floors of the old houses, the former ground floors were converted into cellars with ovens and mills. 15 to 20% of population died in eruption "Thanks to the new excavations, the picture is now clearer: post-79 Pompeii reemerges, more than a city, a precarious and grey agglomeration, a kind of camp, a favela among the still recognizable ruins of the Pompeii that once was," said Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the site. Archaeologists estimate that 15 to 20% of Pompeii's population died in the eruption, mostly from thermal shock as a giant cloud of gases and ash covered the city. Evidence that the site was reoccupied had been detected in the past, but in the rush to access Pompeii's colourful frescoes and still-intact homes, "the faint traces of the site's reoccupation were literally removed and often swept away without any documentation". "The momentous episode of the city's destruction in 79 AD has monopolised the memory," said Zuchtriegel. Volcanic ash then buried the Roman city, perfectly preserving the homes, public buildings, objects and even the people until its discovery in the late 16th century. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Pompeii is Italy's second most-visited tourist spot after the Colosseum in Rome, with some 4.17 million visitors last year. It covers a total area of approximately 22 hectares (54.4 acres), a third of which is still buried under ash.
France 24
27-06-2025
- France 24
Dying breed: Tunisian dog lovers push to save age-old desert hound
The Sloughis, known for their speed and slender physique, have for many centuries accompanied nomadic societies across North Africa, and have been featured in art and lore dating back at least to the Roman era. But nowadays breeders and advocates say that unregulated crossbreeding, the decline of nomadic lifestyles and habitat shifts due to urbanisation mean that they might soon disappear. Olfa Abid, who was walking Nemcha, Zina and Zouina along the coast in northern Tunisia's Ras Angela, said the age-old breed is "part of our heritage, our history". "We must protect the Sloughi," said Abid, a 49-year-old veterinarian, her arms wrapped around one of her dogs. Recent years have seen a spike in unregulated crossbreeding, mixing the local Sloughi with other hounds often brought in from abroad to boost its speed for dog races, according to Abid. National kennel club the Tunisian Canine Centre (CCT) has been working to raise awareness and safeguard the breed, including by creating a dedicated registry with a regulated breeding scheme. The organisation's director Noureddine Ben Chehida said it also seeks to have the Tunisian Sloughi "recognised according to international standards" as a unique breed, under the guidelines of the International Canine Federation, the world's main dog breed registry. Such recognition would give the local Sloughi population a place on the international stage and help preserve its lineage at home, Ben Chehida said. Also known as Arabian Greyhounds, today the CCT estimates that fewer than 200 pure-bred Sloughis remain in Tunisia. 'Noble' hunters With their short coats in sandy hues or grey and arched backs, the hounds' swift gait has earned them a precious spot in Tunisian folklore even as the desert life they once supported gradually vanishes. Historians debate how they first made it to this part of North Africa, but many attribute their arrival to nomadic tribes like the Mrazigs who live in the south of modern-day Tunisia. For centuries, or possibly even millennia, the Sloughis have been vital companions to desert nomads, helping them hunt and guard livestock. "Running like a Sloughi" is still a common saying in Tunisia. "It's a noble dog that was the pride of its nomadic owners," said Abid. "It's a primitive hunter with a purpose when food was scarce." She said the Sloughi has also had a more privileged standing compared to most dogs that are generally considered impure in Islamic cultures. Unlike other breeds, Sloughis have traditionally been allowed indoors and would even eat beside their owners, said Abid. Ancestral heritage In the southern town of Douz, on the edge of the Sahara desert, dog breeder Nabil Marzougui said the "proliferation of hybrid breeds" is putting the Sloughis' future at risk. "We inherited this dog from our forefathers," said Marzougui, calling for authorities to intervene to save the Sloughis as well as the ancestral tradition that they embody. The hounds require ample daily exercise, especially where hunting is no longer available or needed. This is why Abid said she had left the city to settle in the quiet coastal village of Ras Angela, on Africa's northernmost tip, where long stretches of sand serve as an ideal terrain for her three dogs to run around and roam free. Their seaside adventures, which Abid shares on social media, are now followed by thousands of people online. Hatem Bessrour, a 30-year-old agricultural engineer and the proud owner of a Sloughi named Cacahuete, called on fellow dog owners to register their pure-bred hounds with the national canine centre to support its breeding programme. The breed is part Tunisia's heritage, he said. "We must care for it just like we care for antiquities and archaeological sites." © 2025 AFP
Euronews
21-06-2025
- Euronews
Gaudí's best-kept secret revealed in Casa Batlló restauration
The comprehensive refurbishment of the rear façade of Antoni Gaudí's work and the private courtyard of the Planta Noble required an investment of 3.5 million euros and the joint work of specialised restorers and local craftsmen who have preserved centuries-old techniques and adapted them to contemporary standards. This intervention marks a historic milestone, as since 1915 the colours of the rear façade had changed and characteristic elements of the courtyard such as the jardinières and the pergola had completely disappeared. Although there was limited restoration work in the 1950s and 1990s, this represents the first truly comprehensive restoration of the space, where every material has been returned to its original splendour in accordance with Gaudí's intentions. The restoration process has revealed surprising discoveries that have completely transformed the understanding of the original design. Xavier Villanueva, the architect in charge of the operation, said that when they found the original colours they were astonished, as the façade had become the photographic negative of the original designed by Gaudí. Stratigraphic tests carried out during the pandemic revealed the original shades hidden under layers of paint on the wood, ironwork and stucco. The rebirth of an intimate space designed by the modernista genius The restoration has brought back to life the intimate outdoor space next to the dining room, originally conceived as a garden-like retreat for family relaxation. On the rear façade, the stucco and glass and ceramic trencadís of the side walls and cornice have been restored, while the wrought iron railings, wooden windows, balcony doors and mosaic paving have been recovered on the balconies, reinforcing a structure that was in a state of extreme deterioration. The private courtyard has undergone an even more spectacular transformation with the reproduction of elements lost in time. The heather pergola with a parabolic shape that was originally located in the centre of the courtyard has been recreated, together with the planters located next to the ventilation courtyards. The paving has been faithfully replicated using 85,000 pieces of Nolla mosaic, respecting the original techniques. This restoration is part of a five-year series of major interventions that culminates in 2025, the year in which Casa Batlló commemorates the 20th anniversary of its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Gary Gautier, CEO of Casa Batlló, believes that being part of this milestone represents a true honour, uncovering Gaudí's genius for future generations and celebrating the enduring craftsmanship of master artisans, a gift not only to Barcelona, but to the world. Rigorous research combined with advanced digital techniques such as 3D scanning and photogrammetry has ensured pinpoint accuracy in the restoration. Among the most outstanding findings is a previously unknown structure in the form of a spiral of brick and mixed iron, as well as a newly discovered vaulted system supporting the balconies, representing a revolutionary innovation for its time that reinforces Gaudí's constructive genius.
