Planned conservation in Pompeii: complexity and methodological choices

Purpose The planned maintenance service, conducted within the scope of the Great Pompeii Project, presents a high degree of complexity. The purpose of this paper is to describe the methodological choices and operational practices which are being put into place, in order to allow a gradual transition from works of an extraordinary nature to a continuous and planned conservation initiative. Design/methodology/approach In line with changing perspectives on approaching maintenance, which have gained traction in Italy through research conducted over the last decade, the maintenance service of Pompeii has been proposed as a permanent “project site”, with the aim of presiding over the entire maintenance process (inspections, planning, checks in the execution phase, documentation and the organisation of feedback information). Findings Although the conservational benefits of the planned maintenance have become apparent with a long-term vision, the service has improved the accessibility and respectability of the ancient city in just a short time, enhancing the enjoyment of it, safety and the conservation of visitor routes. The domus and visitable building complexes are constantly monitored, and in many of them have already borne witness to short- and medium-term maintenance programs. Originality/value The service of maintenance which has been set up at Pompeii today constitutes an innovative experimental model, potentially replicable in other sites of archaeological heritage with wide room for improvement.