Pompeii: Rebirth of Italy’s dead city that nearly died again

By FRANCES D’EMILIO
Associated Press

POMPEII, Italy (AP) — Pompeii, the ancient city destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, is experiencing a kind of rebirth. The immensely popular archaeological site near Naples nearly died a second death just over a decade ago, when excavated buildings collapsed after long years of neglect and mismanagement. Excavations as part of engineering work to prevent similar debacles like the spectacular collapse in 2010 of a gladiators’ barracks are yielding exciting finds. The discoveries are also helping understand social divides in the once-vibrant Roman city. The tourist attraction’s new director tells The Associated Press that new technologies are being developed to help Pompeii withstand its latest peril: climate change.