Mary Beard on Our Recreations of Pompei

Is Pompeii an ancient or a modern wonder? Its ruins have been rebuilt and the bodies of the volcano's victims are plaster casts, says classical historian Mary Beard.

our Pompeii - like most classical sites, in fact - is the product of collaboration between modern rebuilders and conservators, and the original Roman builders themselves, with the lion's share of the work on our side. And it's no less impressive or moving for that - as the body casts help to show.

Mary Beard, 'A Point of View: Pompeii's not-so-ancient Roman remains',BBC News, magazine, 23 November 2012