Archaeological research and restoration in Pompeii

Archaeological investigations in Pompeii are focusing on the Villa of Cicero and other significant residential structures. Initial efforts involved using new technologies to study the Villa of Cicero, a site extensively explored in the 18th century by the Bourbon court. While the villa’s frescoes and mosaics are held in the National Archaeological Museum of Naples, the site remains a unique reserve due to the detailed historical documentation of its original excavations.

Subsequent research involving American universities has utilized non-invasive geophysical investigations, revealing that the Villa of Cicero is significantly more extensive than previously understood. These studies also indicate the possible existence of an additional, unknown structure situated between the Villa of Cicero and the Villa of Diomede.

Parallel restoration efforts have commenced at the House of Marcus Fabius Rufus. Funded by private sponsor PompeiAR, this project aims to preserve various frescoes, including the ‘Venus of Pompeii,’ and intends to reopen the residence to the public after decades of being inaccessible.

New details indicate the restoration is being financed by German entrepreneur Frank Hoefer, who initiated contact with park officials following the reading of a book by director Gabriel Zuchtriegel. The project, costing approximately €1.46 million, focuses on the four-story residence built atop the city’s fortification walls. While structural reinforcement was conducted between 2021 and 2023, current efforts concentrate on preserving ancient frescoes, such as the painting of Venus in a domestic chapel. Officials have announced that portions of the house, which has been closed to the public since 1980, may open for guided group tours as early as this coming Christmas.