Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern Italy
The preservation of paleontological heritage is relevant for paleobiological and geological research, as well as for scientific dissemination. Fossils are indicative of the evolutionary processes, biodiversity, ecology, and geography of the past and require specific geoconservation actions. In Italy...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Heritage |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/3/100 |
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| author | Antonella Cinzia Marra Fabrizio Sudano Anna Rao Vincenzo Calzona Adriano Guido |
| author_facet | Antonella Cinzia Marra Fabrizio Sudano Anna Rao Vincenzo Calzona Adriano Guido |
| author_sort | Antonella Cinzia Marra |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The preservation of paleontological heritage is relevant for paleobiological and geological research, as well as for scientific dissemination. Fossils are indicative of the evolutionary processes, biodiversity, ecology, and geography of the past and require specific geoconservation actions. In Italy, fossils are protected as cultural heritage, and their unauthorized collection and trading are counteracted by a regulatory framework. The local superintendence and law enforcement provide control over the territory, often resorting to the expertise of university paleontologists. In the Calabria region (southern Italy), the collaboration among institutions is yielding interesting results in research, preservation, and public awareness of paleontological heritage. This paper highlights the different approaches to the conservation and promotion of fossils by three museums in Calabria. At the National Archeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, fossils are included in the Prehistory section. The history of life on Earth, with a focus on regional paleontology, characterizes the Museum of the University of Calabria. The Civic Museum of Ricadi exhibits local fossils. Collaboration among these museums and their institutional referents contributes to public awareness and scientific understanding of paleontological heritage, reinforcing the need for conservation and promotion strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a6d738bb8cdf409bad0472b7c421ff92 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2571-9408 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Heritage |
| spelling | doaj-art-a6d738bb8cdf409bad0472b7c421ff922025-08-20T02:11:03ZengMDPI AGHeritage2571-94082025-03-018310010.3390/heritage8030100Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern ItalyAntonella Cinzia Marra0Fabrizio Sudano1Anna Rao2Vincenzo Calzona3Adriano Guido4Department MIFT, University of Messina, Viale Stagno D’Alcontres 31, I-98166 Messina, ItalyNational Museum of Archeology of Reggio Calabria, MarRC, Piazza Giuseppe De Nava 26, I-89123 Reggio Calabria, ItalyMuseum System of the University of Calabria (SiMU), Section of Palaeontology, Via Pietro Bucci, cubo 14/b, Arcavacata di Rende, I-87036 Cosenza, ItalyMuRi Museo Civico di Ricadi, Museo Archeologico e Paleontologico, via Roma, 12, Santa Domenica, I-89866 Vibo Valentia, ItalyMuseum System of the University of Calabria (SiMU), Section of Palaeontology, Via Pietro Bucci, cubo 14/b, Arcavacata di Rende, I-87036 Cosenza, ItalyThe preservation of paleontological heritage is relevant for paleobiological and geological research, as well as for scientific dissemination. Fossils are indicative of the evolutionary processes, biodiversity, ecology, and geography of the past and require specific geoconservation actions. In Italy, fossils are protected as cultural heritage, and their unauthorized collection and trading are counteracted by a regulatory framework. The local superintendence and law enforcement provide control over the territory, often resorting to the expertise of university paleontologists. In the Calabria region (southern Italy), the collaboration among institutions is yielding interesting results in research, preservation, and public awareness of paleontological heritage. This paper highlights the different approaches to the conservation and promotion of fossils by three museums in Calabria. At the National Archeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, fossils are included in the Prehistory section. The history of life on Earth, with a focus on regional paleontology, characterizes the Museum of the University of Calabria. The Civic Museum of Ricadi exhibits local fossils. Collaboration among these museums and their institutional referents contributes to public awareness and scientific understanding of paleontological heritage, reinforcing the need for conservation and promotion strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/3/100fossilsmuseumprotectionlegislation |
| spellingShingle | Antonella Cinzia Marra Fabrizio Sudano Anna Rao Vincenzo Calzona Adriano Guido Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern Italy Heritage fossils museum protection legislation |
| title | Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern Italy |
| title_full | Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern Italy |
| title_fullStr | Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern Italy |
| title_short | Promotion of Paleontological Heritage: Case Histories from Southern Italy |
| title_sort | promotion of paleontological heritage case histories from southern italy |
| topic | fossils museum protection legislation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2571-9408/8/3/100 |
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