Referring to the long collaboration between the Superintendence of the Sea of the Sicilian Region and the Phoenicians’ Route – Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, the Scientific Collaboration has been renewed. Signed for the first time in 2014 through a Memorandum of Understanding, it aims at cooperating in the following sectors:
- Enhancement and protection of the underwater cultural heritage;
- Promotion of training activities and scientific dissemination. In particular, the aim is to share museum and underwater archaeological teaching with reference also to the Interpretation Centre of Palazzo Pignatelli in Menfi (AG), inaugurated in October 2020;
- Organization of thematic exhibitions;
- Dissemination of construction techniques and technologies of Sicilian boats from antiquity to the present day;
- Training in the field of cultural and natural heritage and its enhancement;
- Scientific collaboration for studies and research on underwater archaeology in Italy and in the Mediterranean;
- Dissemination and promotion activities in the underwater archaeology sector.
The agreement also provides for the possibility of launching, within the Phoenicians’ Route, a specific International Network dedicated to underwater archaeology, led and promoted by the Superintendence of the Sea of the Sicilian Region.
Since its creation, the Phoenicians’ Route has been benefiting from the precious scientific support and ideas of Prof. Sebastiano Tusa and, through him, of the Superintendence of the Sea. This agreement establishes the continuity of relations in the person of the current Superintendent Dr. Valeria Li Vigni, with whom past activities will be extended to the entire Mediterranean. The Superintendence of the Sea, in fact, is an admirable example at world level, inspiring new initiatives such as the Italian National Superintendence for Underwater Cultural Heritage.
The Phoenicians’ Route, confirming its support, proposes this model at international level through the creation of an Underwater Archaeology Network.
