Sheep take over Pompeii to fight weeds as part of a sustainable agriculture initiative. (Reuters)

a herd of sheep became a hope to save the archaeological ruins of the ancient city of Pompeiinow threatened by vegetation growing out of control.

As part of a sustainable agriculture initiative, around 150 woolly mowers are brought to every corner of this ancient city to graze and, at the same time, protect the site.

“If grass and other plants are growing in or on old walls and houses, that’s a problem. So we try to have a sustainable approach to the whole environment to avoid the use of substances,” Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeii Archaeological Park, told Reuters.

In addition to this initiative saves money, also preserves the landscape. Local authorities hope that this measure will help to attract more tourists.

The 66-hectare site of Pompeii, two-thirds of which have been uncovered since excavations began 250 years ago, offers a unique insight into daily life in an ancient Roman city, frozen in time by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD

With information from Reuters

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