“TESORI” E REPERTI D’ARCHEOLOGIA IN PIEMONTE FRA

SETTECENTO ED OTTOCENTO

MariaGraziaVinardi

PolitecnicodiTorino,vialeMattioli39,maria.vinardi@polito.it

ABSTRACT

The “Treasures”, that once were object of collecting remains, between eighteenth and nineteenth centuries

become subjects of comparisons and of a systematic critical inquiry as the foundation of scientific

construction of the history. Piedmont as the other Italian states, organizes excavations and through the

Academy activities develops the disclosure of “antiques”, understood as elements to be studied, to be

exhibited in museums and to reconnect to more general historical contexts. The archaeological heritage of

Piedmont is object of a first attention, involving Scipione Maffei, Giovanni Battista Borra with James

Dawkins e Robert Wood and Baron Vernazza. They started the excavations at Susa, Industria, Alba,

Pollenzo, Aosta, Benevagienna, Libarna. The King Carlo Felice founded in 1823 the Egyptian Museum, also

with the material acquired by Bernardino Drovetti. The theme of this museum cannot be deal here, but it

cannot be ignored in this experience too. Queen Maria Cristina di Borbone, wife of Carlo Felice, intrusted to

Felice Biondi and to Luigi Canina the excavations of Tusculo and of Veio, allocating the findings to the

Castle of Agliè. Subsequently the King Carlo Alberto established the Giunta di Antichità e Belle Arti (1832),

where Carlo Promis was named first inspector of ancient monuments in 1837. The protection of “ruins of

ancientmonuments”hadtheaimof“researchandconservation”.

Parolechiave/Keywords: Conservation,Piedmont,Archaeology,EighteenthandNineteenthcenturies