In pictures: The ruins of Pompeii

A guide and a stray dog, seen in the Forum baths, Pompeii Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Forum granary. Though it was even in Roman times only a modest city, modern-day Pompeii amounts to an archaeological site of quite staggering scale Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Fresco, at the House of Menander. Though it may be possible, once again, to rebuild the House of Gladiators from the ground, the richly decorated frescoes of gladiators that gave the building its name may be lost for ever Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Guide and tourists at entrance to House of the Faun. What no visitor to the city can fail to note is the bewildering scale of the task facing Pompeii's custodians Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Seen at the end of the street is the House of the Gladiators, which recently collapsed. In sections of the city enormous structural walls are propped up by wooden struts or steel supports while scaffolding and strips of orange plastic insist that visitors keep their distance Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Pillars supported at House of the Faun. Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Plaster casts of victims, at Garden of the Fugitives. Many buildings only appear still to be standing thanks only to the goodwill of the Roman gods Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

The Forum. Brick walls have been colonised by weeds, and stray dogs growl at passing visitors Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

The Forum. Roads closed to pedestrians have quickly been reclaimed by moss and grass, while cracks have appeared in marble pedestals Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

The Forum. Dug out from under layers of volcanic rock more than 17 centuries after its destruction, the city is an archaeological miracle Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Tourists at The Forum. 'Pompeii will continue to decay unless there is more basic maintenance on a regular basis', says Jo Berry of Swansea University Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian

Via dell'Abbondanza. Though it was even in Roman times only a modest city, modern-day Pompeii amounts to an archaeological site of quite staggering scale Photograph: Martin Godwin for the Guardian