Back to Anzi - archeological exhibit in Basilicata, Italy

“Back to Anzi” is the title of the archeological exhibit that just closed doors at the Basilicata of Anzi.
This exhibit was showcasing, for the first time, some archeological remains with great historical and artistic values donated by residents.

Anzi

Thanks to those remains, some coming from Anzi, but also from museums around the world or from difficult researches done in the region, Dr. Maria Chiara Monaca from the University of Basilicate and her team were able to recreate some very surprising aspects of the history of this small region.

As the pictures of this exhibits have not yet been published, here are some photographs of other pieces also found in Anzi that prove the millennium old history, as well as the high importance of Anzi in Antiquity.

We already know that, in the archaic period (6th century BC), this area was occupied by Enotri (ancient people still not well known by scientists who are still trying to discover more about their origin and culture), as confirmed by the discovery of tombs with closed pits and ceramics with red and brown geometrical patterns.

Fig. 1

The plate fragments (fig. 1) with geometrical patterns is from this era. Thanks to the “Back to Anzi” app (available for free on line from Google), one can learn how to recognize the ceramic fragment from this era and virtually rebuild its original shape and use.


Fig. 2

In the 4th century BC, the Lucans, who came from Sannitique lineage, first conquered the cities on the Tyrrhenian coast like Poseidonia (today Paestum), followed by the inland regions. The vases with red patterns (fig. 2 and 3) are from this period as well as the numerous ceramics and metallic objects found in the sepultures and sanctuaries of the region. Those pieces show, without a doubt, that Anzi had become an important city.

Fig.3

On the top on Mount Siri (1067 m) where Anzi is still today, one can control the whole surrounding area. The fact that the objects from this period are all of Greek style and of very high quality proves that the inhabitants were refined people in contact with Greek cities and with a high purchasing power.


Fig.4

Anzi’s magnificent era permanently ended when the romans conquered the whole territory in the 3rd century BC. What was left of Anzi after war and destruction continued to exist as a small agricultural and pastoral center that belonged to many large properties owned and managed by wealthy roman nobles. The archeological surveys brought large villas and statues to light (fig. 4).
Then, after many centuries of neglect, at the start of the 19th century, a large number of antique treasures were discovered in Anzi. Some of them complemented the existing collections owned by the Anzi’s nobles who appreciated antiquity, but the rest was quickly sold at the big Naples’ reign antiquity market. They were scattered to many collections from that era, some foreign, or in national museums that were being built.(fig. 5 and 6)

Fig.5

As a matter of fact, one can discover on-line, through the digital research dedicated to Anzi’s archeological heritage, the whole beauty of many relics.

Fig. 6

Finally, today in Anzi, many serious archeological researches are in progress to document the past and discover the role that this city had in Antiquity. Anyone who can help in this difficult research by informing us of related studies or fragments not found in the application is welcomed. Thank you!

                                                               Isabelle Wanlin Hocquet