My first approach with archeology was in 1985,
in a manner entirely fortuitous. Until that time, my interest in things
ancient was confined to relics of the First and Second World War. It was
at that time that I had the good fortune to know a man very out of the ordinary,
Mr. Gino Monai (nicknamed Meraldo), who cooperated and still cooperates
with the Museum of Cividale del Friuli, as "Hound" archaeologist. Meraldo,
understanding and appreciating my enthusiasm began to carry with him during
his trips to hunt for traces of ancient human settlements. At that time Dr. Amelio Tagliaferri, director of the Museum of Cividale, was completing its work " Settlers and Roman legionaries in Friuli Celtic". Me and Meraldo went in a few sites in the Friuli area to verify the presence of ancient Roman buildings based on old indications of archeologists of the past. It was for me a very significant period during which I began to understand the techniques of investigation about archeological research. At that time it’s began work for the restructuring of the church of St. Quirino in S.Pietro al Natisone. The old archeologists saids it’s was been built above an ancient Roman temple dedicated to Diana, the ancient goddess of hunting. Intrigued by this informations I went to the area of the work and, looking at the bottom of a pit, I saw the presence of some green coins. After, me and Meraldo, decided to remove and give them to the Archaeological Museum of Cividale del Friuli. Subsequently the official archaeologist made further investigation during which many findings emerged, all belonging to the funeral with burial tombs dating 6th century AD. |