The Anglo-American Project in Pompeii

The University of Bradford in Britain runs the AAPP as a multi-disciplinary, long-term field project which also trains future archaeologists in a field school environment. Rick Jones and Damian Robinson direct the AAPP. Our project is not cleaning new areas of volcanic debris. The priority in Pompeii now is to record, understand, and preserve what has already been exposed. We are one of a group of research projects working in Pompeii in collaboration with the Italian archaeological authorities, the Soprintendenza Archeologica di Pompei. We are committed both to improving understanding of the ancient city and to preserving the site for future generations. The AAPP is investigating a complete block of Pompeii (Regio VI, Insula 1 in the northwest corner) from its earliest occupation through to its final form in A.D. 79. We also document the history of these archaeological remains from their first excavation to the present day and aim to link our work to research across the city as a whole. By applying rigorous modern scientific archaeological techniques we are asking new questions of the data collected, and the work is leading to new insights into Pompeian life.

We strongly believe that one of our greatest achievements is our approach to both research and education. Our team involves around 40 staff members including excavators, specialists, illustrators, and historians. Every summer the staff works closely with a large group of international students. Over the past eight years, we have had staff and over 300 students from over 20 countries including the United States, Britain, Australia, Hong Kong, Romania, Albania, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Canada, New Zealand, Israel, Puerto Rico, Denmark, Finland, Macedonia, and Russia. The contributions of these future excavators have provided us with one of the most complete in-depth studies of any area in Pompeii.