VII.9.46 Pompeii. Shop. Excavated 1820, 1899.

VII.9.46 Pompeii. December 2005. Looking south-east across shop entrance doorway.

VII.9.46 Pompeii. December 2005. South-east corner, with site of podium, basin and deep well.

According to Breton, when excavated there was a well that was 35.25m deep here.

See Breton, Ernest. 1870. Pompeia, Guide de visite a Pompei, 3rd ed. Paris, Guerin.

According to Gell, directly opposite the gate of the Pantheon is the well, about 116 feet deep, the water of which is singularly cold and very slightly brackish.

See Gell, W, 1832. Pompeiana: Vol 1. London: Jennings and Chaplin, (p.10-11).

According to De Jorio –

“Evvi nella casa di cui parliamo un pozzo di 116 piedi di profondita, il quale era cavato sotto di un’arco non solo non crollato nell’eruzione del 79, ma rimasto conservato intatto, e in modo che serve anche oggidi. Havvi che attribuisce virtu medicinali alla sua acqua, e se ne servono come tale.”

(Trans: Here in the house of which we speak (VII.9.47) is a well 116ft deep, which was quarried under an arch, which did not collapse in the eruption of 79, but remained preserved intact, and so that it is used even today. Attributed with medicinal virtues to its water, it is used as such.”

See De Jorio A., 1836. Guida di Pompei. Napoli: Fibreno, (p.77).

VII.9.46 Pompeii.  February 2008. Looking towards the south-east corner. Photo courtesy of Nicolas Monteix.

VII.9.46 at front with VII.9.47 in distance, September 2005. Looking south.

VII.9.46 at front with VII.9.47 in distance. September 2005. Looking south.

VII.9.46 Pompeii. February 2008. Looking towards the south-west corner. Photo courtesy of Nicolas Monteix.