The Journey of Prehistoric Remains. Rereading the Case of Scoglio del Tonno, Taranto (1899–1950s) (original) (raw)

This article re-evaluates the historical narrative of the archaeological site known as ‘Scoglio del Tonno’ in Taranto, challenging the simplistic portrayal of early twentieth-century Italian archaeologists as incompetent or malicious. Particularly, it reassesses the case study from a different perspective, starting with the concept of scientific paradigms and communities and reconstructing the data journey of scientific remains. The objective is to unravel the intricate interplay between science and politics in Italy within diverse socio-political contexts: the Italian Kingdom, Fascist Italy, and the early Republican era. By delving into the historical context, the article elucidates how socio-political constraints shaped the scientific interpretation. Furthermore, it scrutinizes the transfer of archaeological findings to other museums: the historical analysis reveals dynamic scientific paradigms influencing the relocation of findings and modifying their social and political implications.