New Insights for Conservation of Villa Imperiale (Pompeii, Italy) Through Nondestructive Exploration

Abstract

This work reports a nondestructive multi-disciplinary approach involving infrared thermography and geoelectric methodologies applied to Villa Imperiale in the Pompeii archaeological area (southern Italy). The value of this investigation can be regarded from two points of view: a) restoration and conservation of the rich painted decoration; b) historical insights with new perspectives on the role played by Villa Imperiale in the ancient urban context. In particular, infrared thermography was used to gain information on the conservation state of the architectonic structures and of the frescoes that cover most of the walls. The attention was also focused on the possibility to discriminate different types of paint likely linked to different decoration styles, such as for the older restoration works. Conversely, resistivity tomography surveys were carried out in two external areas of the Villa for identifying buried structures that may be evocative of possible relations between the city and the external development of streets, such as the Via Antiqua, and for the definition of the ancient planimetry of the peristylium area.