The death in Rome of the 85-year-old teacher, researcher and archaeologist Antonio Di Vita was announced yesterday. Born in Chiaramonte Gulfi [Ragusa] Prof. Di Vita taught at the Universities of Palermo, Perugia and Macerata [Marche], where he was first Director of the Faculty of Arts and later Rector. From 1977 - 2000 he was Director of the Italian School of Archaeology in Athens.
Antonio Di Vita was largely responsible for twentieth century excavations at Kamarina, which he began in 1958, thus following in the steps of the famous archaeologist Paolo Orsi, who worked on the site until 1911.
Speaking yesterday, Giovanni Di Stefano, Director of the Kamarina Archaeological Park, said that Prof. Di Vita had been "one of the fathers of Italian archaeology and a great Sicilian."
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| Ancient tombs at Kamarina |
Sicily is soooo rich in archaeological treasures. I was totally unaware of Kamarina. I have climbed the Bronze Age necropolis of Pantalica and seen the temples of Segesta, Selinunte, Agrigento, the ampitheater of Siracusa and seen the beautiful mosaics of Piazza Armerina. Now I have another reason (as if I really needed one) to return to Sicily.
ReplyDeleteAn amazing piece of rock, Sicily.
ReplyDeleteOh, you must come and see Kamarina, Patricia! It is indeed, James.
ReplyDeleteRIP di Vita
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