The Villa of Mysteries, first excavated in 1909, is named after a large and colourful cycle of frescoes showing young women undergoing an ancient Roman marriage initiation rite. Conservators are using laser technology to restore the colours to their former glory. Pompeii officials released a statement saying this is the first time the technique has been applied to such an important cycle of works a the site and that “it constitutes a viable alternative for preserving surfaces that might be too sensitive for [traditional] mechanical and chemical methods of conservation”. The laser is able to detect and remove the different protective layers that have been applied to the frescos by previous restorers. A spokesman confirmed that the restoration work, which is scheduled to end in October, is going well so far.

Similar laser technology was used on an unusually large scale to clean the courtyard of the palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian in Split, Croatia (see link above).

The Neapolitan Superintendency, the regional arm of the ministry of culture which is responsible for heritage and archaeological sites in and around the Naples area, is overseeing the project and is single-handedly funding the €900,000 restoration costs, which include conventional cleaning of other decorative elements, such as mosaics. The villa that houses the frescoes will stay open to visitors while the work is being done....