The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-09
ITALIAN ARCHAEOLOGY
Government Encouragement--Recent
Discoveries at Rome and 0stia

From the London Standard
Since the narrow conception of archae-
ology as a minor branch of the classical
studies has been given up and the new
science has been universally recognized
as including the whole range of ancient
human activity, from the first traceabie
appearance of man on the earth to the
middle ages, practical measures have been
taken to establish the study Of archae-
ology on a firm and scientific basis. The
official encouragement afforded in Italy
towards the systematization and teaching
OF archaeology has recently been clear
ly explained by his excellency, Professor
Luigi Credaro, minister of public in
struction, at the opening of the Interna-
tional Congress of Archaeology in Rome.
Owing to serious preoccupations Of a
political and financial character during
the first period of her national life, Italy.
unlike other countries, had to delay the
administration of her artistic, historical
and archaeological patrimony In 1909
law was voted by parliament approving
the cataloguing of all objects of great
value. the expectation of which was de-
clared detrimental to the artistic and his
torical patrimony of the state. In 1907 an
other law was passed reorganizirig the
state department of fine arts and archae-
ology. Two years later the minister Of
public instruction was authorized by law
TO acquire ON behalf of the state ancient
and artistic objects, and the necessary
financial means were placed at his dis
posal Another, and by far the most inn
portant law, is now contemplated. that
namely proclaining state ownership of
the subsoi of Italy. There is no eoun-
try in the world of such archaeological
wealth as Italy. The ruins of ancient
buildings, temples, fora, triumphal arches,
shrines, baths, aqueducts and villas, are
scattered everywhere. The remains of
entire cities are, however, still buried
underground. and their excavation can
not be attempted. as it is financially i'm
possible for the state to appropriate all
the land under which ancient remains are
buried. Professor Boni's discoveries in the
forum of Rome include proof of the exist
ence of lifts, pegmata, which were used in
imperial times and were known to the
Romans as far back as so B. C. The his
tory of the Palatine is now exposed to
view, as it were, from the earliest to
the latest times of classical antiquity.
Important excavations are being carried
out in the Baths of Caracalla, and re-
searches are being made in the Imperial
Fora OF Rome which, it is proposed, to
completely isolate in the near future. The
Baths of Diocletian and all the ancient
remains below the Palatine have
been isolated and Rome has now an es-
sentally archaeological zone. Professor
Dante Vaglieri is unearthing the city OF
Ostia, the ancient port of Rome. and
measures have been taken to avert the
danger of its being submerged by the
Tiber. The Villa of Horace at Licenza
Is likewise being excavated, and the
Etruscan metropolis of Cervetri win, it
is hoped, be soon entirely explored. But
archaeological work is by no means linz
tied to Rome and it's neighborhood. Ex-
cavations are going on in Umbria and in
the Marches where, at Belmonte Piceno.
Filottrano and Novlara most important
prehistorcal discoveries have been
matte Professor Spinazzola recently un-
covered about 800, feet of the Via DELI
Abbondanza at Pompeil and the discov-
cries he made are of the utmost impor-
tance. Two-storied houses with balconies
and windows may now be seen at Pom
peii reconstructed as they stood before
the city was overwhelmed by the great
eruption OF Vesuvius twenty centuries
ago. Large frescoes and mural paint
ings, temples and shrines with the ashes
from the last sacrifice still on the affairs,
electoral inscriptions painted or scratched
on the walls, and shop where wine
was sold with the bronze kettle where
water was boiled still intact in its place.
such are the marvels of Pompeii brought
to light by Professor Spinazzola.
Other important discoveries have been
made at Pestum Cumae, Locri, Cotrone
and Taranto as well as at Olbia in Sar-
dinia There is cult in Italy for ancient
remains and ruins which are not only
protected by the government but also
venerated by the people.