Tourists Return Artifacts to Pompeii
Recently, a woman reportedly sent a package to Italy, supposedly containing items that she had taken from the historical site of Pompeii, along with a note of apology. International media quickly picked up on the strangeness of the incident, due in large part to her claims of being cursed with bad luck as a result of her actions. According to the park, this is far from the first incidence of this nature; tourists from all over the world have been sending items back for many years, attributing their misfortune to these artifacts.
Return of Artifacts
Speaking to Lonely Planet, Dr. Luana Toniolo, Archaeological Officer of Pompeii, stated that the park has received approximately 200 returns over the last decade. Many of these returns include letters explaining the circumstances under which various items—such as white mosaic tiles, ceramic pieces, rocks, pebbles, and fragments of architecture—were taken. Some individuals even detail their decision to return these items due to bad luck.
Stories of Misfortune
“Some letters tell us of unfortunate events that occurred after taking the artifacts from Pompeii, such as broken legs and ankles,” Dr. Toniolo explained. “Others have heard of this ‘curse’ and prefer to return their artifacts as a precaution before something negative happens to them.”
Letters from Tourists
One letter sent to the park in Spanish reads, “These are small pieces taken from the columns of Pompeii. Since we took them in 1982 we have had bad luck. We don’t know if this is a superstition or a coincidence. Anyway, we wish that they return to their destiny – the ruins of Pompeii, because as I said before, we have had very bad experiences. We took them just to have a memory of the city and to keep a small piece of the column. I am sorry. We didn’t do it with bad intentions, just to keep a memory. Thanks.”
Another from 2010, written in Italian states: “Good day, I am convinced that these pebbles that I brought from Italy bring me bad luck. For this reason, I am sending them home so that I can be free. Thanks and have a good day.”
Importance of Context
While returning items that should never have been taken initially appears as positive news, Dr. Toniolo emphasized that the lack of context regarding where they belong diminishes their value as historical objects. Tourists are therefore urged to refrain from interfering with historical sites of such significance.
According to the park, the latest letter as reported by the media is still at a local police station, and nobody from the park has been able to examine it.
