Pompeii livens up

After years of neglect, Pompeii has been offered hope with plans to use private firms to restore archaeological sites and to protect the area from the Mafia's grip.

Culture Minister Giovanna Melandri unveiled an $80 million package for Pompeii and other projects. About 10 per cent will be used to restore Roman dwellings in the huge archaeological park near Naples.

In recent decades the area has been mismanaged by the state and fallen into greater disrepair than in the years when it was protected by a blanket of volcanic ash from the eruption of Mt Vesuvius in AD79.

Because dishonesty has also been a problem, and the planned changes bring further opportunities for undesirable contractors, the Ministry of Culture is introducing anti-Mafia measures.