Alia Wallace's Pompeii: Steps Towards Reconciling

The purpose of history is not only to offer up fact as we know it, but to continually strive for a better interpretation of those facts. Therefore, the study of history can be as dynamic and fluid as we choose to make it. One way in which our interpretation of history can be refreshed is by meticulously studying historical sites such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt or the Terracotta Army in China. Another famous and important site for historical inquiry is the archeological site of Pompeii in Italy. However, due to the poor state of conservation at that ancient site, Pompeii is crumbling. Author Alia Wallace serves to strike a balance between conservation and increasing tourism in her published thesis, “Presenting Pompeii: Steps towards Reconciling

Once the methodologies are clearly explained, Ms. Wallace goes into specific detail about tracking visitor/guide movements, behaviors, and comments. She outlines primary and secondary problems this acquired data brings to light. For instance, she notes that signage and numbering schemes on maps and in audio guides don’t always match those on-site. She also mentions that there is continual overcrowding at specific areas of the site, while other areas (which are still open to the public) are consistently overlooked. Other problems observed were visitors/guides sitting, standing or touching parts of the exhibits, and limited active security management. After highlighting these issues, she makes suggestions for less site-impactful visitor/guide interactions and engagement so that they do not contribute (unintentionally or not) to the damage already sustained at Pompeii. Ms. Wallace recommends simple fixes such as corrected directional signs and more detailed maps, better foot-traffic planning which incorporates visitor movement patterns, giving visitors/guides a clear set of rules to help them better understand what they may do to reduce damage, and more comprehensive training for staff. She concludes her paper by suggesting that besides destruction caused by the elements, much of the ongoing damage to Pompeii happens as a result of visitors/guides, with overcrowding and poor signage being key factors. She goes on to say that visitor/guide impact can be lessened significantly with appropriate management which may not be financially prohibitive, and therefore sustainable. However, Ms. Wallace acknowledges that without the buy-in from all stakeholders (including researchers, custodians, tour guides, and conservationists), any site management efforts will be short-term and destined for