Mon, November 08, 2010
The 2,000 year old "House of the Gladiators" collapses, reigniting conservation concerns.
A 2,000 year old structure in the ruins of ancient Pompeii lies in ruins.
The "House of the Gladiators" collapsed on Saturday, sparking fresh debate over whether enough is being done to preserve the ancient site.
Officials said the house collapsed after dawn, while the site was closed to visitors.
It's believed gladiators gathered and trained at the structure, using it as a club house before going to a nearby ampitheatre to battle.
Officials speculated the collapse could have been caused by heavy rains, but most commentators said longstanding neglect was more likely.
Art historians and residents have complained for years that the site needs better maintenance.
(Reuters)
