Since 2014, Professor Osanna has been in charge of Pompeii, one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Pompeii was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. Large scale excavations began in the 18th century, and since then, Pompeii has been a popular destination for tourists and an invaluable source of information about ancient Roman life. The site now attracts millions of visitors each year.

The ancient ruins of Pompeii have been subject to increasing deterioration as a result of centuries of exposure to the elements and to wear and tear caused by visitors.

Professor Osanna spearheads the ongoing Grande Progetto Pompei (the Great Pompeii Project)—an enormous undertaking in which teams of architects, skilled workers, restorers and archaeologists use the latest technologies to manage ongoing research, conservation, restoration, and infrastructure at Pompeii. As a result of this impressive project, more of Pompeii than ever before is open to the public. This project is the subject of his lecture.

A Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Basilicata, and Professor of Classical Archaeology at the University of Naples – Federico II, Professor Osanna was educated at the University of Perugia and the University of San Marino. He has directed numerous excavations in Europe at ancient sites including Satriano, Siris and Herakleia, Alesia, and Gabii. He is an expert on Archaic and Iron Age Italy, on Greek colonization, and on cultural interactions in Italy.

This lecture and the conference, "Reframing Roman Luxury", is sponsored by the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, the Institute for the Humanities, the Departments of Classical Studies and History of Art, the Interdepartmental Program in Classical Art and Archaeology, the Interdepartmental Program in Greek and Roman History, and an anonymous donor.

The lecture is free and open to the public.