Preserving Pompeii's past, one step at a time

"In this photo, I'm in the banquet hall of the House of Thiasus, a space that was frozen mid-renovation by the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in ad 79. The space shows the beauty of Roman design: the floor mosaics give way to columns, and frescoes of dancers, fish and laden tables still adorn the walls. Most arresting of all is the deep cinnabar-red pigment that's used in some of the frescoes: it is rare, unstable and made with mercury sulfide."

"Too much light or moisture could be enough to darken the paint to black. My job is to ensure that doesn't happen. As an art conservator, I work alongside archaeologists, engineers, architects and fellow restorers to excavate sites here. Every dig is a race against time: objects that have rested underground for two millennia suddenly face sunlight, air and humidity."

The banquet hall of the House of Thiasus was frozen mid-renovation by the Vesuvius eruption in AD 79, preserving floor mosaics, columns and vivid frescoes. Some frescoes contain a deep cinnabar-red pigment made from mercury sulfide that is rare, unstable and prone to darkening. Excess light, moisture or rapid drying can trigger pigment darkening and salt crystallization. Conservators coordinate with archaeologists, engineers and architects to manage excavations and environmental exposure. Careful, slow drying and continuous monitoring are essential to prevent salts migrating and crystallizing as objects are exposed to sunlight, air and humidity.

Read at Nature