Italian archaeologists are up at arms over a potential shift in power. This article points out that a government committee or panel “would have the equivalent of emergency powers, letting it circumvent legislative restrictions and bureaucratic obstacles.”
Apparently among the issues the archaeologists are most concerned about is the potential of private investors gaining a stake in some of the most lucrative tourist sites in Italy and a more commercial strategy.
While in a perfect world it would be great if commercial interests were kept out of the picture, we live in the real world. Right now major monuments and sites have been damaged by the elements, acid rain and other factors. In addition, there is not enough money available to address all of these issues. Commercial involvement if properly monitored could provide much needed funds to care for such sites and pay for research and other projects. With the added benefit of wresting control out of the hands of the elite few “archaeologists”.
Angst Among the Ruins – Italian Archaeologists Protest Oversight Shift – NYTimes.com.
Tags: archaeologists, Italy
I believe the past is too important to leave to government! Even if the Italian people voted unlimited funds to historical conservation I’d still like to see commercial entities involved in some sites.
Why not turn a few lesser monuments over entirely to the Italian equivalent of Disney and The Discovery Channel without oversight? Maybe entrepreneurial creativity could come up with new interpretive methods that are more engaging than roped-off rooms and generic gift shops?