A CAMPUS OF INTERNATIONAL CHARACTER IN CENTRE OF ITALY (Feasibility Study and R/D Activities of Location)
The presentation of the documentary related to the “Snakes-Charming”(I SERPARI DI COCULLO) is the precursor and at the meantime the corollary to the Campus of International Character program development. Research and feasibility study of the Abruzzo Region, Italy, especially in the “Marsica e Peligna” Valleys, are the fundamental historical-cultural background for the Campus’ program definition and related project activities. The location to establish the Campus facilities and Program objectives implementation is where once the Great Lake of “Cliternum, now Celano” at present showing cultivable vast fields. It is from the heights of Celano, or from the hillsides above Avezzano (at the San Pietro Church Hill), in the slop of “Monte Velino”, that it can be recognized the fact with horror, satisfaction, according as the interest may predominate in landscape, agriculture, industry, housing-apartments, and/or other environment changing. More than a few decades, a century, the implied “Time” is not enough to make a thing of beauty of a dried lake, of course; but a hundred more years, thousands, would be insufficient to obliterate on the chosen plan, that of geometrical precision of design over an area of endless parallelograms edged with spiky poplars, the whole like a fancy chessboard. Even its glorious fields of sugar beets, potatoes, and waving corn lose their beauty by the meat measurement to which the “Re-Zoned” area modification is subjected.
But, the last few decades are defined more dramatic changes in the environment where to establish “A Campus of International Character”. The spur of these changes come from different sources, mainly the urban development modifications which take place, above all, in the importance for the community land preservation. Although the “Campus” project development should be re-evaluated, it is certainly true to recognize that the new urban area modifications are essentially the force as an external threat to enhance the undertaken activities closer to the Archaeological site of Alba Fucens. It must be stated, that the destruction of Health-Environment and especially the neglect of Archaeological evidence by the process of economic-urban development is not the only problem of this specific location, it is a prevalent world-wide problem. Like other Archaeological sites, Alba Fucens offers a beneficial effect in that it has an enormous potentiality for new discovery from the pre-historic era of the “Pelagian” civilization to the contemporary cultural-social events.
The contribution of “A Campus of International Character” program closer to the Archaeological site of Alba Fucens can help to support further research and development in previous ideas of the wealth of the “Pelagians” Archaeological material potentially available. It is both possible and feasible to carry on field-work on a large scale than ever before, and this means a major contribution in the research and development activities at the “Pelagians” site are organized. Students and Faculty Staff Members of Project (AUA) are directly and indirectly involved in these activities. Especially a direct participation in the Archaeological and related activities, also as a model project, can help the changes efficiently, to meld practical method with theory on order to deal with concerned problems of the location.
A feasibility study of specific location together with a research design is proposed for investigating the structure and functioning of extinct and present cultural systems, and how these relate one another as regards process of change and evolution. An essential aspect of this design is the fact that it is a multi-project activity. It is recognized that the most satisfactory framework for field research is the one that begins by examining, in a preliminary way, the Archaeology and cultural past of the Abruzzi Region as a whole and then to focus on increasingly limited sections of it with intensity, Work and R/D activities such as “At the Slop of Monte Velino, A Campus of International
Character Mobile Laboratory/White Coal; The Pescara River Bank and its Up-Stream Tributaries; and others”, the whole is an indispensable initial phase of the undertaken project. The acquisition of reliable and representative information about specific location, past and present human activities, including the relationship with environmental variables and with one another are very much relevant for the “Campus” Program determination.
Information from the “Palajgians” Archaeological potential site may require a three dimensional imagination, as much to grasp not only the ancient cultures in time and space but to understand and to visualize a buried site modifications nearby. Maps and time-charts are still the evidence of the plans and historical process which are the guide to the patterns that underlie and make sense of the complexity of the real world. Although there are divergent points of view and wide disparity in the knowledge of the Project (AUA)’s activities, it is especially important to appreciate the alternatives which are presented and the process as a whole with the interrelationships within it. However, to understand the reconstruction of the Pre-historic past and contemporary events require some acquaintance with the methods and techniques which are provided to get relevant information. Recent modifications and other changes in innovations of specific location affect so fundamentally not only the view of the past but that of present time. The whole might give an accurate and better perspective of the “Pelagians” Archaeological site and the potential for the “Campus” Program development.
The Project (AUA)’s activities and interest in the “Pelagians” age are part of rediscovery of the western civilization past which will give a fresh impetus to a new scale of construction and excavation that can bring to light many remains of the early man and his work. It is by means of high technology and new science in geology that will provide a time-scale beyond the scope of earlier imagination, while interpretation of early life is broadened by the frequent encounter with less developed peoples in many parts of the world. It is certain that contribution to the enhancement of the “Pelasgians” Archaeological site exploration early also will give a new dimension to the historical records through the discovery and evidence of the cyclopean fortress stone wall foundation. In front, on the neighboring hill stands the “San Pietro” church, superbly placed under the twin peaks of Monte Velino, that change pending the weather and time, from blue to dove color and opal. Set high and steep, it commands all the country round, and the plain that once was the “Fucino Lake”, whose waters of old came up nearly to its rocks. Probably a natural earth-work, this location is a magnificent outlook or a place for meditation on the ruin of things. The Project (AUA) implications also are to deal not only with ancient artifacts and monuments, but above all with the whole landscape of the surroung area, as this can reconstructed by an increasingly and sophisticated method and investigating analysis.
Suggestions are welcomed.