New hope in hunt for Roman library

[Menydh]

New hope in hunt for Roman library

The Sunday Times
February 14, 2005

A PHILANTHROPIST has stepped forward to fund excavations at the ancient city of Herculaneum in Italy, where scholars believe a Roman library lies buried beneath 3m of lava from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79.

David W. Packard, whose family helped to found the Hewlett-Packard computer company, is concerned that the site may be poorly conserved or that excavation of the library may not continue unless he underwrites the work. Herculaneum, south of present-day Naples, was buried by the same eruption that destroyed nearby Pompeii.

"It is hard to imagine anything more exciting than excavating at Herculaneum," said Mr Packard, who is channelling the money through a family institute.

"We have spent around $US2 million ($2.6 million) so far, much of it on conservation work. We have tried to work closely with the Italians, who have all the skills needed. But we can offer a degree of independence and financial security."

A PHILANTHROPIST has stepped forward to fund excavations at the ancient city of Herculaneum in Italy, where scholars believe a Roman library lies buried beneath 3m of lava from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD79.

David W. Packard, whose family helped to found the Hewlett-Packard computer company, is concerned that the site may be poorly conserved or that excavation of the library may not continue unless he underwrites the work. Herculaneum, south of present-day Naples, was buried by the same eruption that destroyed nearby Pompeii.

"It is hard to imagine anything more exciting than excavating at Herculaneum," said Mr Packard, who is channelling the money through a family institute.

"We have spent around $US2 million ($2.6 million) so far, much of it on conservation work. We have tried to work closely with the Italians, who have all the skills needed. But we can offer a degree of independence and financial security."



[source]