http://www.eritrealive.com/addio-ad-alfredo-castiglioni-esploraore-ed-archeologo/
Farewell to Alfredo Castiglioni, explorer and archaeologist
Posted by Marilena Dolce
Adulis, Eritrea, the last piece of his large mosaic
It's hard to talk about without mentioning Alfredo Angelo, usually he spoke with "the Castiglioni brothers."
But the night of Sunday, February 14 has suddenly taken away Alfredo, born in 1937, so this time, for a deliberate exception from the sky, you will have to talk about one of the inseparable twins.
I met Alfredo (and Angel) when I started to deal with Africa, a continent that they have loved since youth because, like many young people, they had "a dream: to travel to discover and understand," trip never interrupted.
Last October I should participate, in Varese, at the presentation of the archaeological museum that bears their name, and it is home to study, research, valuable findings and evidence, an opportunity to see the restyling of Villa Toepliz but, above all, to chat with Alfredo and Angelo and hear their fascinating stories.
It was unfortunately not possible. When I phoned to apologize to Alfredo, he replied: "Sweet, do not worry, we will arrange a visit for you."
Why him, but let me tell them, are so, gentlemen of the past.
Alfredo loved Africa, but above all he understood.
It was more than a great explorer, he understood that he explored, he met and studied cultures and traditions of a continent which, however, did not forget the men not considering them "primitive" or "savage", words still used in a time not too far away.
Even their meeting with archeology is done in Africa. During a trip to Ethiopia, seeing a woman sitting on a cylindrical rock, perhaps a piece of column, they ask where has taken and, following his instructions, reach a plateau dotted with stelae, a place of worship, a sacred area . So, in a somewhat 'unfortunate, it born on their interest in archeology.
"For archeology" Alfredo said, "it takes patience." "It may happen that looking findings of a certain age," he explained, "we s'imbatta, however, in another, why do archeology is like a mosaic whose pieces occupy an infinite space, and the time is indicated by their depth".
One of the last pieces of this mosaic Adulis, Eritrea, about sixty kilometers from Massawa and five from the Red Sea coast. A "Pompeii of Africa in the ancient Land of Punt," Alfredo told, without removing the halo of myth, even enhancing it with the finds of the excavations.
An excavation work, in agreement with the government of Asmara, which begins in 2011 with the collaboration of several Italian universities, the Civic Museum in Rovereto, the cerdo, Eastern Desert Research Center, the Eritrean National Museum.
In ancient Adulis was one of the most important ports in the world from which the goods departed from the Middle East to reach the Mediterranean.
In the early years of the '900 the city is discovered by Italian Roberto Paribeni, then again covered with sand and silt to date with the archaeological mission of the Castiglioni brothers.
Videos and photos, made by the Castiglioni brothers, bear witness to the passion and hard work to Adulis. The layout of the camp, the excavations, shopping, relaxation, but also friendly gatherings, injera and zighinì together to Adulis village , not what the excavations are giving back a bit 'at a time but that of many Eritreans workers, all the years, they are participating in the mission Adulis, with Alfredo and Angelo Castiglioni.
I think the best way to remember Alfredo is just that, the last piece of his large mosaic, bringing to light the city of Adulis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltEi_kvJvc0
Marilena Dolce
EritreaLive
(Software translation)
Received on Wed Feb 17 2016 - 12:22:04 EST