Rome/Pompeii [ENA] A charcoal inscription has been discovered during new excavations at Pompeii. That inscription supports the theory that the Mount Vesuvius eruption that destroyed the ancient Roman city took place in October of 79 AD, not August. The inscription is dated the 16th day before the calends of November - i.e. October 17. It is the latest in a series of important findings made during recent excavations of the Regio V   [Full story...]

Rome [ENA] In 1969 a Nativity by Caravaggio was stolen from a Palermo church (Oratorio di San Lorenzo) supposedly by the Mafia. The Vatican has called a conference of experts to attempt to locate "the world's most wanted painting" this week. The inestimable painting by Caravaggio was first believed to have been destroyed shortly after it disappeared in 1969. But investigators now say it is actually still intact and could be   [Full story...]