Engineering and Archaeology: Pompeii from Past to Future

On March 20, 2026, in the extraordinary setting of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii, the tenth Seminar promoted by the Italian Association for the History of Engineering and the National Council of Engineers will take place. This annual appointment accompanies the AISI biennial conferences with meetings dedicated to exploring themes central to the history and evolution of engineering. This year’s event will focus on the dialogue between engineering and archaeology, offering an opportunity to reflect on the daily challenges that a complex site like Pompeii presents to scientific research, conservation, and heritage management, while highlighting the contribution that advanced technologies and engineering approaches provide to the knowledge and protection of the ancient city.

The day will open at 9:00 a.m. with greetings from key representatives of the institutions involved: Angelo Domenico Perrini, President of the CNI; Mauro Uniformi, Coordinator of the RTP; Gabriel Zuchtriegel, Director of the Archaeological Park of Pompeii; Luciano Rosati, Director of the CIBEC; Andrea Prota and Raffaele Tarateta, Presidents of the Orders of Engineers of Naples and Salerno; and Francesca Romana d’Ambrosio, President of AISI, who will also serve as moderator. The seminar will then continue with contributions from the speakers, who will guide participants through the many technical and scientific dimensions that characterize the study and management of the Pompeian site.

Throughout the day, the seminar will address topics that illustrate how deeply engineering is now integrated into archaeological research and conservation. Discussions will explore the managerial complexity of the Park and the sustainable strategies adopted to preserve such a fragile yet invaluable heritage; innovations in conservation will be presented, ranging from data-driven approaches to the use of artificial intelligence and robotics; and the seminar will delve into multiscale and multilevel monitoring techniques for the proactive maintenance of ancient structures, as well as studies on the vulnerability of masonry elements subject to out-of-plane mechanisms. Attention will also be dedicated to the specific aspects of archaeological restoration and to the role of architects within complex heritage work sites, culminating in the presentation of concrete experiences such as those related to the Insula Meridionalis of Pompeii and research on the skyline of the ancient city. The event will close with an open discussion scheduled for noon.

The seminar, organized in accordance with CNI guidelines for continuing professional development, will allow participating engineers to earn three professional training credits upon registration through the designated platform. The event represents a valuable opportunity to discover more closely the scientific and operational activities that contribute daily to the safeguard of Pompeii, and to understand how collaboration between different disciplines has become an essential cornerstone in the enhancement of cultural heritage.