Lecture

Prof. Giuliano De Felice, associate professor at the University of Bari “Aldo Moro” presents Uncovering Contemporary Archaeology of Southern Italy. 

We often think of Italian archaeological heritage as a series of beautiful sites scattered across an untouched landscape. However, with a little attention, we can identify archaeological traces of a different kind of legacy, that lead us to an unexpected landscape shaped by recent history: the world wars and the Cold War – a stark contrast to the idyllic image of an unspoiled countryside we prefer to imagine. Embarking on a route through Apulia, from the sea towards the Alta Murgia, we can trace a path from Bari to Altamura, Gravina, and Matera, traveling back in recent time. Leaving behind the industrial outskirts of Bari, we enter a gradually less populated landscape where almond trees, olive groves, and pastures give way to vast stretches of empty land and patches of woodland.

The continuity of this landscape is interrupted by modern buildings – some in full operation, others reduced to ruins – that seem placed intentionally to disrupt the view. These sites mark an itinerary of contemporary archaeology focused on the conflicts of the 20th century. Along the roads of inner Apulia and Lucania, far from the noise of the battles, these sites house the less noble and more hidden remnants of war: prisoners and powerful, dangerous weapons – a stark reminder of the intense history embedded within this region, contrasting sharply with the serene landscape we often imagine.

Free with registration.