Archaeologists uncover a street of balconies in Italy’s Pompeii

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Archaeologists inspect excavation works in the archaeological site of Pompeii where they discovered a street of houses with intact balconies that were buried when Mt Vesuvius erupted in 79AD. Photo: AP

Published: 10:05am, 18 May 2018Updated: 10:05am, 18 May 2018

Archaeologists excavating an unexplored part of Italy’s volcanic ash-covered city of Pompeii have discovered a street of houses with intact balconies that were buried when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79AD.

Some of the balconies even had amphorae – the conical-shaped terra cotta vases that were used to hold wine and oil in ancient Roman times.

The culture ministry’s Pompeii authority announced the discovery Thursday. It said the balconies were a “complete novelty” for this part of the buried city, which hasn’t yet been fully excavated. A statement said the “Vicolo dei Balconi” (Alley of Balconies) will be restored and the area included in a tour open to the public.

The discovery was part of the Great Pompeii Project, which overall involves an area of about 66 hectares never properly explored before.

Massimo Osanna, director general of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, shows a bronze vase discovered during excavation works where the “Vicolo dei Balconi” (Alley of Balconies) was recently uncovered in Pompeii. Photo: EPA

“The latest discovery concerns a 1,400-square-metre area that was never uncovered, although we have found traces of incomplete attempts of excavation carried out in the eighteenth century,” said director general of the Archaeological Park Massimo Osanna.

“This is the most interesting element: the four balconies are in a row, and appear very well preserved, not only with colours intact but with some furniture,” Osanna said.