The aim of the project is to study the building history and use of the Insula IX 3 at Pompeii. All available archival data will be collected in addition to the field work concentrating on the documentation of the remaining structures at the site. The geographical centre of Pompeii has until now remained relatively little studied and, considering this, the study of the insula has a great potential of enlightening the urban development and life in this part of Pompeii. The first phase of the project studies the domus IX 3,5/24, the House of Marcus Lucretius, which was excavated in 1846-7. The work was begun in 2002 and the projected publication date is in 2007. By the end of 2004 the basic documentation of 20 of the 34 rooms of the house has been completed covering thus the southern part of the building. Small excavation trenches have been excavated in the atrium, garden and kitchen of the house. The current results indicate a long period of use of the site stretching possibly from the 6th century BC until AD 79. The earliest wall in pappamonte tuff was found in September 2004 in the garden. At least in the northern and eastern parts of the house many remains of the possibly 3rd century BC phase in Sarno stone have been preserved. The western part of the house has been practically rebuilt maybe as late as the 1st century AD, but evidence has been found of a slightly differently oriented earlier atrium house under the floor levels. In May 2005, work will concentrate on the northern part of the complex (House IX 3,24), which at the moment seems to be the oldest preserved house of the insula. (Paavo Castrén, Eeva-Maria Viitanen)