04-26-2014, 07:08 AM
WSJ: The Colosseum's Badly Needed Bath
Ms. Rea says she expects major surprises like those to emerge when the scaffolding makes its way to the south and west sides of the Colosseum. That section lacks an extra row of outer arcades, which began to be dismantled in the sixth century to provide material for new structures. The outer arcades block close-up looks at the inner structure. In January last year, a small-scale cleaning not connected to the current project revealed frescoes, graffiti and drawings on an internal passageway. The project could also afford the first look at how the Romans built key sections of the world-famous monument.
Apparently Diego Della Valle contributed $35 million for the cleaning. But could this erase any graffiti or drawings they find?
Ms. Rea says she expects major surprises like those to emerge when the scaffolding makes its way to the south and west sides of the Colosseum. That section lacks an extra row of outer arcades, which began to be dismantled in the sixth century to provide material for new structures. The outer arcades block close-up looks at the inner structure. In January last year, a small-scale cleaning not connected to the current project revealed frescoes, graffiti and drawings on an internal passageway. The project could also afford the first look at how the Romans built key sections of the world-famous monument.
Apparently Diego Della Valle contributed $35 million for the cleaning. But could this erase any graffiti or drawings they find?