PSPP activities on site

The long-term preservation of exceptionally valuable historical sites is one of the great challenges of our time. Pompeii, the best preserved ancient city in the world, has a very rich architectural and cultural heritage, the preservation of which faces special challenges.

Launched in 2012, the POMPEII SUSTAINABLE PRESERVATION PROJECT (PSPP) is an association of renowned research institutions from the fields of monument preservation and restoration (including PAP, ICCROM, IBAM-CNR) under the direction of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft. The project is actively supported by a number of other major institutions and associations. It is a research association under German law and based at the Fraunhofer Institute for Building Physics IBP. The core areas of the project include training and research associated with the preservation of archaeological sites.

Since 2014, the project has been conducting research and restoration work on burial monuments in the necropolis in front of Porta Nocera. The methods, skills and knowledge developed here can be transferred to historical sites worthy of protection throughout the world.

The POMPEII SUSTAINABLE PRESERVATION PROJECT is financed by fund raising campaigns and donations.

Western part of the necropole Porta Nocera
© Albrecht Matthaei / PSPP
View of the western part of the necropolis Porta Nocera as seen from the west. In the background on the right, you can see the balustrade from which pedestrians in the modern city can view the archaeological site

Our agenda

facade grave 14EN
© Christina Elsässer / PSPP
Large-scale mapping of plaster fragments and layers of mortar flaking off from the façade of the burial structure 14EN. This burial site was chosen as an example to carry out a detailed analysis of all types of damage and risks: Only direct and urgent intervention will prevent the further destruction and loss of valuable antique surfaces.

Preservation of the cultural assets

  • Sustainable and comprehensive restoration
  • Preventive conservation and care
  • Documentation and publication
  • Concepts for developing the site for tourists in a way that is compatible with the ruins

 

Training programs

  • Training courses for students working in the fields of restoration, archaeology and building research
  • Advanced training courses for professional restorers from different cultural backgrounds
  • Interdisciplinary seminars on preserving ruins
  • Pompeii courses for schools from the Vesuvius region and international partner schools
  • International workshops and congresses to improve existing skills

 

Research

  • Development of new restoration methods
  • Development of sustainable conservation materials
  • Climate studies on preventive conservation
  • Historical research on ancient building techniques
  • Development of a digital image of the buildings based on the findings
  • Studies on the history of the restoration of Pompeii

Activities and reports

Working area of the Summer School 2018
© Lea Oetinger / PSPP
Working area of the Summer School 2018: Participants at work.
Temporary restoration of surfaces
© Viola Klein / PSPP
One of the participants of the summer academy working on an experiment to temporarily restore surfaces with cyclododecane.
Participants of the Summer School 2018
© PSPP
Participants of the Summer School 2018

Since 2014, the POMPEII SUSTAINABLE PRESERVATION PROJECT (PSPP) has carried out extensive restoration and research work in the necropolis in front of Porta Nocera in Pompeii.

 

2023  // Restaurierungs- und Schulungskampagne

  • 28.08.-6.10.2023: PSPP summer academy

 

2018  // Restoration and training campaign

  • June 2018. Appraisal of the state of conservation of the necropolis in front of Porta Nocera
  • 03.09.-26.10.2018: PSPP summer academy
  • Reports from 2018

 

2017  // Research project “Clay sealing for ancient burial structures” (2017-2018)

  • Appraisal (12.-24.03.2017)
    • Non-invasive measurement of moisture levels (Oxford University - Fraunhofer IBP)

 

2016  // Restoration campaign Porta Nocera/ Via Nucerina (12.-27.09.2016)

  • Study of selected mortar analysis methods and comparison of the properties of mortar for decorating the walls of the burial structures EN 4 and EN 6
  • Support of the DAAD Summer School “Dialogue on Cultural Heritage in Times of Crisis” (Naples, 19-30 September 2016)

 

2015  // Restoration and training campaign (07.09.-30.10.2015)

  • Summer academy for young restorers
  • Photographic survey
  • First campaign on climate measurements (Fraunhofer IBP)
  • Continuation of work started in 2014 (IBAM-CNR)
  • Reports from 2015

 

2014  // Pre-campaign (22.09.-14.11.2014)

  • Appraisal of the conservation status
  • Research into the history of the necropolis and archive research on earlier restorations
  • Appraisal and mapping of damage to the burial structures EN 14 and ES 07
  • Geophysical investigations, 2D/3D digitization, development of an immersive web gallery (IBAM-CNR)
  • Reports from 2014