DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.847#0096
88
VEIL
cause it had never been put in, or because it had
been so loosely and carelessly, or so hurriedly done,
that it fell inwards, and in consequence the bottom
of the tomb presented mud instead of clean dry tufo.
After we had completely rifled this tomb, it would
probably the next day be filled up to restore the
ground for sheep-grazing, and in a fortnight Pozzo
Michele would look as green and undisturbed as it
did the day before we opened it. In fifty years time
the men who opened it, and those who saw it opened,
will be no more; Capranesi's excavations will be for-
gotten or doubted, and some new projector and anti-
quity hunter will very possibly re-open this grave to
find that it has been already spoiled. Thus it happens
with many magnificent Roman sepulchres in the
immediate neighbourhood of Rome. I believe that
no excavations whatever were undertaken until the
French began to disinter the ancient Forum, and the
triumphal arches of Rome itself, which were half
filled up, and obscured with earth. Yet even during
this short period, since knowledge has spread, and
research and avarice have been awakened, half the
opened tombs are forgotten, and now are re-excava-
ting by English gentlemen and noblemen who spend
their money to be disappointed. The first excava-
tions weheardof were undertaken by Georgio in 1810.
When anything very remarkable or very beautiful has
been found, information of late years has been given
to the Archaeological Society, and some of the mem-
bers have copied the curious object, and preserved
an account of it in their Annals; but no plan has
VEIL
cause it had never been put in, or because it had
been so loosely and carelessly, or so hurriedly done,
that it fell inwards, and in consequence the bottom
of the tomb presented mud instead of clean dry tufo.
After we had completely rifled this tomb, it would
probably the next day be filled up to restore the
ground for sheep-grazing, and in a fortnight Pozzo
Michele would look as green and undisturbed as it
did the day before we opened it. In fifty years time
the men who opened it, and those who saw it opened,
will be no more; Capranesi's excavations will be for-
gotten or doubted, and some new projector and anti-
quity hunter will very possibly re-open this grave to
find that it has been already spoiled. Thus it happens
with many magnificent Roman sepulchres in the
immediate neighbourhood of Rome. I believe that
no excavations whatever were undertaken until the
French began to disinter the ancient Forum, and the
triumphal arches of Rome itself, which were half
filled up, and obscured with earth. Yet even during
this short period, since knowledge has spread, and
research and avarice have been awakened, half the
opened tombs are forgotten, and now are re-excava-
ting by English gentlemen and noblemen who spend
their money to be disappointed. The first excava-
tions weheardof were undertaken by Georgio in 1810.
When anything very remarkable or very beautiful has
been found, information of late years has been given
to the Archaeological Society, and some of the mem-
bers have copied the curious object, and preserved
an account of it in their Annals; but no plan has