Archaeological Artefacts Spark Controversy in Trapani: Disagreements on Display Location

 Once again, Trapani province finds itself in the midst of a debate over precious archaeological finds and their designated exhibition space. This time, the discoveries from the depths of the sea reignite local rivalries. In recent days, remnants of a Roman ship from the 3rd century A.D. have been recovered from the waters of Marausa, where it lay submerged for 1800 years.

The operation was highly intricate. Following the initial excavation and documentation phases, retrieval of the cargo commenced. This was followed by a meticulous process of securing the wreck using nets, fabric, and subsequent encasement in an on-site metal structure with specialized supports, allowing for the complete elevation of the wreck. Previously, the hull had been safeguarded, shielded, and enveloped in specially designed structures to facilitate its maritime transport from the discovery site to the port of Marsala. From there, the wreck was carefully transported overland to the Lilibeo Archaeological Museum in Marsala. Here, it was immersed in a freshwater pool. The next steps involve desalination and subsequent conservational treatment, including consolidation and restoration, in the museum's laboratories. The museum already houses the Punic Ship and Roman Ship 1, making it the prime contender for exhibiting the newly recovered wreck once restoration procedures conclude.

However, not everyone is in agreement. The Roman ship recovered in recent days was located in the sea off Marausa, within the territory of Misiliscemi. The regional deputy Cristina Ciminnisi, representing the nascent municipality in the province of Trapani, expressed discontent with the vague statements made by the regional assessor for Cultural Heritage, Francesco Paolo Scarpinato, regarding the museum placement. Ciminnisi voiced concerns that while the Baglio Anselmi in Marsala is a necessary site for the comprehensive recovery of the planking and timbers, she hopes this temporary location does not become permanent. She emphasized that it took over twenty years to designate the Baglio Anselmi as the exhibition site for the first cargo ship discovered in the waters of Marausa in 1999. In an unanswered inquiry, Ciminnisi also asked about the department's plans for fully valorizing this second discovery, considering that for the first ship, the planking resides in Marsala while the amphora cargo is at the Pepoli Museum in Trapani. The deputy did not frame this as a matter of local rivalry but rather expressed the hope that Misiliscemi might one day have adequate facilities to exhibit the artifacts recovered from its territory, beginning to give the new municipality a cultural identity.

Anna Occhipinti, the director of the Lilibeo Archaeological Museum, refrained from entering the debate, stating, "I limit myself to managing the museum." This succinctly summarizes her stance on the matter.

This isn't the first time, as mentioned, that Trapani province has witnessed disputes and local rivalries concerning cultural heritage. The same "Marausa 1," the first Roman ship recovered in Marausa, was at the center of a prolonged conflict over its eventual placement. Some advocated for its display at the Pepoli Museum in Trapani, arguing it was retrieved from a sea area still falling under Trapani's jurisdiction. Meanwhile, Marsala asserted that given its Punic Ship Museum, the wreck would find a more logically fitting home there, which indeed it did.

The debate over the placement of archaeological relics has perennially sparked heated discussions and, over the years, ignited all forms of local rivalry. Different concerns arise when cultural assets need to be temporarily exhibited in other cities, such as the battle waged to prevent the departure of the Youth of Mozia to the Salinas Museum in Palermo.