There's no peace for Pompeii. Just four days after the theft committed by a Polish tourist, a new episode has struck the world's most famous archaeological park.
This time the one who ended up in trouble was an American pensioner, caught while trying to remove some stones from the ancient streets of the Roman city buried by the eruption of Vesuvius.
According to the reconstruction, the man was walking along Via delle Ginestre when he picked up several stone fragments—part of the site's priceless archaeological heritage—and casually stuffed them into his backpack, ready to walk away towards the exit.
Another visitor noticed the scene and didn't hesitate to alert the security guard on duty in Piazza Esedra. At that point, the well-established security mechanism involving the Park Management, internal security, and the Carabinieri stationed at the Scavi di San Lorenzo station was activated.
The report reached the military within minutes, who identified the man as he was approaching the exit.
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Before the Carabinieri, the American attempted to justify himself with the usual statements: "I just wanted a souvenir to take home" and "they're for my personal collection." The stones were immediately returned to the park, while the man was reported for theft of archaeological finds.
The director general of the Archaeological Park reiterated zero tolerance for anyone attempting to steal even the smallest fragment of the ancient city: "Every stone in Pompeii tells a thousand-year-old story. Taking it away means erasing a piece of it."
This latest incident brings to the forefront the problem of theft and vandalism that continue to plague the site, despite tight controls and modern surveillance systems. Just a few days ago, a Polish tourist was reported for attempting a similar act.
A phenomenon that, despite awareness campaigns and information signs, seems to know no respite. Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, thus continues to defend itself not only from time, but also from the incivility of those who fail to understand its value.
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