Tourist caught carving initials into ancient site in Pompeii

A British tourist has been caught carving his daughters’ initials into an Ancient Roman house in Pompeii.

A British tourist has been caught carving his daughters’ initials into an Ancient Roman house in Pompeii.

The 37-year-old Englishman, who has not been named, allegedly used a sharp object to make five indentations in the House of the Vestals.

A British tourist was caught carving initials into ancient Roman house in Pompeii. Picture: Jam Press

He allegedly used a sharp object to make five indentations in the House of the Vestals. Picture: Jam Press

It is described as one of the most sophisticated and impressive houses in Pompeii at the time of Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD.

Security staff at the archaeological park noticed him fiddling with a frescoed wall at the house entrance.

House of the Vestals is described as one of the most sophisticated and impressive houses in Pompeii at the time of Vesuvius. Picture: Jam Press

After confirming he had made five carvings, they alerted the carabinieri, who apprehended him at the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The man had carved “JW LMW MW” into an upper part of the wall and “07/08/24” and “MYLAW” into a lower part.

The letters are believed to be the initials of his two daughters and his own.

He was reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Torre Annunziata, Italy, for damaging artistic heritage.

He reportedly apologised to the authorities and said he had made the carvings to leave a record of his visit.

The Brit will now have to pay for the restoration of the damaged area.

Local media has not revealed his name.