Posted on August 23, 2011 by Canicus
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Italy may be experiencing huge financial problems, but they obviously are still investing in their economic future. Specifically, they are doing considerable work reconstructing and preserving ancient sites. These sites are huge tourist attractions bringing people from all over the world to see the glory that was once Rome.
One sees three kinds of activities. First there are what appear to be reconstruction or restoration of some ancient buildings. That is, they appear to be attempting to restore some structures so as to appear as they did when they were still in use.
- Archaeological Dig in the Forum
Second, there are more conservative efforts simply to prevent further deterioration of the site. One may argue as to which is preferable. Restoration does, of course, help the modern tourist to visualize what the building may have looked like centuries ago. On the other hand, it is simply impossible to restore the Forum, for example, to what it may have looked like at some previous time in history. The Forum was always changing in ancient times and to restore it to some particular point in time would lose ruins reflecting some other time.
- Reconstruction of the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
It is also highly unlikely that anyone would presume to restore the Coliseum to its original state. So much of its iconic nature for the city of Rome involves the damage done over time–from earthquakes to vandalism. What is done at this site is preservation to prevent further deterioration.
Third, there are archaeological efforts going on all over the city. Some of these seem to be rather careless–bulldozers on the Palatine. But others are more careful, reflecting the minute care of modern, scientific archaeological methods.
