Italy's antiquities, the remains of thousands of years of history, are literally strewn throughout the country. But perils like earthquakes, car fumes, vandals, and thieves have taken a heavy toll on these treasures, like this ancient wall outside Rome, stripped by looters of much of its decorative marble.

(Text adapted from and photo shot on assignment for, but not published in, "Italy's Endangered Art," August 1999, National Geographic magazine)