H ERITAGE M ATTERS
THE CARABINIERI COMMAND
FOR THE PROTECTION OF
CULTURAL PROPERTY
SAVING THE WORLDS HERITAGE
Renowned for their rigorous investigative approach, the dedicated officers of the Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Property (Carabinieri TPC) have recovered thousands of objects and built legal cases resulting in high profile repatriations of cultural property. Their actions have effectively changed an art market that previously depended upon theft and criminal behaviour. Italy is a nation that greatly values its ancient past alongside its artistic present, and it is this appreciation that has led to the creation of the worlds premier police force dedicated to law enforcement in the arts, heritage and archaeology. As the TPCs dedicated officers work to protect every aspect of Italys rich cultural heritage, their organisation, training, approach, missions and successes offer valuable lessons for all who share the goal of protecting and recovering cultural property.
Laurie Rush is a Board Member of the US Committee of the Blue Shield, and employed as an archaeologist by the US army; Luisa Benedettini Millington is a Faculty member of the Community College of Vermont, US.
H ERITAGE M ATTERS
ISSN 17564832
Series Editors
Peter G. Stone
Peter Davis
Chris Whitehead
Heritage Matters is a series of edited and single-authored volumes which addresses the whole range of issues that confront the cultural heritage sector as we face the global challenges of the twenty-first century. The series follows the ethos of the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies (ICCHS) at Newcastle University, where these issues are seen as part of an integrated whole, including both cultural and natural agendas, and thus encompasses challenges faced by all types of museums, art galleries, heritage sites and the organisations and individuals that work with, and are affected by them.
Previously published titles are listed at the back of this book
Illustrations
COVER IMAGES
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
FIGURES
Robert A Millington, 2015
Photo: Bertani. Open access from I Monumenti Italiani e la Guerra (1917) by Ugo Ojetti, available from: https://archive.org/stream/imonumentiitalia00ojetuoft#page/30/mode/2up
Photo: USMM (Ufficio Storico Marina Militare, Roma). Open access from I Monumenti Italiani e la Guerra (1917) by Ugo Ojetti, available from: https://archive.org/stream/imonumentiitalia00ojetuoft#page/30/mode/2up
Artistic rendition by Robert A Millington, 2015, of image published by A Cura della Direzione Generale delle Arti 1942, 44
Image courtesy of the Zentralinstitut fr Kunstgeschichte, Munich
Artistic rendition of the protective measures by Robert A Millington, 2015
Luisa Benedettini Millington, 2012
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Wtin / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain ( http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Latleta_di_Fano.jpg )
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Dott Angelo Pitrone, Museo Archeologico Regionale di Agrigento. Courtesy of the CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC, 2014
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Chart: Luisa Benedettini Millington, 2014
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of the CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Robert A Millington, 2014
Luisa Benedettini Millington, 2013
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
Chart: Luisa Benedettini Millington, 2012. Photos: courtesy of CC TPC
Luisa Benedettini Millington, 2012
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: courtesy of CC TPC
Photo: Laurie Rush
Photo: Laurie Rush
The authors and publisher are grateful to all the institutions and persons listed for permission to reproduce the materials in which they hold copyright. Every effort has been made to trace the copyright holders; apologies are offered for any omission, and the publishers will be pleased to add any necessary acknowledgment in subsequent editions.
Acknowledgments
We would like to begin by thanking the Carabinieri TPC; we are grateful for the support of Brigadier General Mariano Mossa, Commander of Carabinieri per la Tutela del Patrimonio Culturale, who was enthusiastically receptive to the idea of the book and who wrote such a gracious introduction. We appreciate the warmth and encouragement of the former Commander of the CC TPC, General Pasquale Muggeo, and the support of Lieutenant Colonel Roberto Colasanti, who provided us with unwavering assistance from the very beginning and whose continued commitment enabled us to carry on and complete this volume. Major Massimo Quagliarella and all of the staff members and officers patiently answered questions and explained their work. Majors Giuseppe Marseglia and Andrea Ilari graciously hosted Laurie at their headquarters and offered detailed information about their work. Thanks to Captains Christian Costantini, Luigi Spadari, Gianluca Ferrari and Marshal Demetrio Cola for their help. Special thanks are due to Lieutenant Fabrizio Rossi; his assistance, expertise and consistent exchange of information on an almost daily basis for the past three years have made possible the birth of a solid friendship.
We are also indebted to Catherine Dauncey, our most capable and patient editor at the International Centre for Cultural and Heritage Studies, Newcastle University, and Professor Peter Stone, OBE, who gave generously of his time and provided comments. Working on this book has been a pleasure and a joy, every step of the way.
Laurie Rush would like to thank the American Academy in Rome and its 2010 Booth Family Rome Prize in Historic Preservation which made this book possible. As with many miracles, many thanks are due, beginning with acknowledging the generosity and kindness of Suzanne Deal Booth. I wish to thank my good friends Kevan Moss and Brian Rose, who encouraged me to apply for the Rome Prize, and my chain of command at Fort Drum who then encouraged me to accept. Special thanks are due to Colonel (retired) James Corriveau, Director of Fort Drum Public Works; James Miller, Chief of the Environmental Division; and Norm McGuire of the Public Works Business Office. Additional gratitude goes to BG Erik Peterson who withdrew the 10th Mountain Division request to serve with the Command Group to Afghanistan when he learned of the opportunity to go to Rome. I will always appreciate the honour of being asked to deploy. Upon arrival in Rome, I learned that I was following in the footsteps of Monuments Fine Arts and Archives Officers who were also fellows of the Academy. It is difficult to describe the privilege of being a part of this piece of history, this extraordinary institution and the opportunity to share a year with the gifted fellows. During the second summer of the book, the Association for Research into Crimes Against Art (ARCA) awarded me the honour of Writer in Residence and special thanks go to Lynda Albertson who was gracious and welcoming and introduced me to General (retired) Pastore of the Carabinieri TPC, who was very helpful and generous in sharing his knowledge and experience. On the home front, Meg Schulz and Heather Wagner watched over the Fort Drum Cultural Resources Program, and my wonderful husband Jack literally kept the home fires burning and used all vacation possible to be with me in Italy. Thanks also to my children who rarely complain about having a mom who almost never calls, and last but certainly not least I am eternally grateful to my brilliant co-author Luisa who made all of the Carabinieri connections and research come to life.
