Macerata, 16 June 2024 – At the park archaeological site of Urbs Salvia, the thirtieth excavation campaign conducted by the archeology institute of the University of Macerata under concession from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage has begun. Director of the “Archaeological Mission” is Professor Roberto Perna, full professor of classical archaeology.
Professor, what do you bring to light?
“We are excavating in land where an important artisan area dating back to between the end of the third and the beginning of the second century BC has been identified. By extension it is the most important archaeological discovery of a productive nature from that historical period in the Marche”.
Are your students taking part in the excavation?
“Yes, there are about forty of them, almost all from the Department of Humanities of UNIMC, but students from other universities also participate. They are organized into groups and, based on pre-established shifts, they alternate both in this excavation and in the one we are carrying out in parallel in Villamagna, in the Abbadia di Fiastra area, under the concession of the South Marche Superintendence and in agreement with the archaeological official of reference, Cecilia Gobbi”.
This whole area, therefore, is a true mine of archaeological treasures.
“Urbs Salvia is the largest and most important archaeological park in the Marche and is the main scientific reference point of our university. I came here for the first time as a student and my passion for archeology was born then. Over the years, the active collaboration of the University with the institutions (Municipality and Superintendence) has favored the development of the excavation campaigns and since the management of the Park passed to the Regional Directorate of Museums, with the director Sofia Cingolani we have launched further valorization initiatives ”.
Does UNIMC also carry out archaeological missions abroad?
“The Institute of Archeology in Macerata has been operating since 1968. The first teacher was the archaeologist Antonino Di Vita, who was also rector of the university for some years. The first Macerata archaeological mission was founded by him in Libya, then others followed and we are currently present throughout the Mediterranean area. From mid-July, for four weeks, I will direct an excavation campaign in Gortina, on the island of Crete and there will be a group of students with me. Then from the end of August to the end of September, with other students, we will continue the excavations already started in Albania, in the Archaeological Park of Antigonea”.
Do the university’s excavation campaigns have an essentially educational value?
“Not only. They are the main gym in which students practice the profession of archaeologist, but at the same time with them we fulfill the so-called “third mission” of the university, that is, to carry out activities with educational and cultural value for the benefit of society and the territory”.
How is archeology evolving in university offerings?
“From this year in Macerata there is an innovative highly specialized master’s degree, capable of offering graduates broad employment opportunities. Registration opens on July 15th and the degree awarded will be in “Archaeology and territorial development”.
