During its first full field season in 2007, the Via Consolare Project carried out extensive geophysical research within both Insula VII 6 and the area of the Villa delle Colonne a mosaico between the 21st of June and 29th of July 2007, with the permission of the Soprintendenza Archeologica di Napoli e Pompei and with the kind support of Professore Guzzo and dottore D’Ambrosio. These analyses were carried out using two different geophysical techniques.

The first method involved readings taken along eight ‘pseudo-sections’ via electric-resistive tomography. Each of these provided a view through the subsurface, allowing for the identification of buried structures, voids, floors, and surviving stratigraphy, to a depth of up to 2.5 metres. The second employed a magnetometer to examine all open areas for metal objects, areas of burning, and/or other geophysical anomalies in the subsurface deposits. In addition, this method would have also identified the location of any unexploded bombs (fortunately none were observed). These analyses were performed in order to answer specific questions which evolved from our analysis of the standing remains and to test important hypotheses related to our research on the early Via Consolare and the development of Pompeii. In addition to geophysical investigations, roughly 70% of the standing structures in the area of VII 6 were examined, including detailed study of visible construction events and mortar differences. Sequencing was augmented by initial photo documentation. In combination with 3D topographic survey of the area, this has allowed for initial recording and study of standing stratigraphy.