Culture minister Dario Franceschini’s recent appointment of German archaeologist Gabriel Zuchtriegel as the Director of Pompeii signaled a new page in the story of a priceless landmark, but it wasn’t met with unanimous approval.

The 39 year old ‘s appointment led to the resignation of two of the four board members of Pompeii, Stefano De Caro and Irene Bragantini, who claimed that they could not support the nomination of someone with so little experience. Zuchtriegel took the criticism in stride, reaffirming that he would collaborate with the board and would do it as soon as possible.