The “MemO” Project: the Study, Digitalisation and Value Enhancement of Greek and South-Italian Pottery in Veneto. The Issue of Forgery

Abstract

In archaeology, the topic of fakes, copies, and imitations has been around since the 18th century. Recent studies have found that the phenomenon of counterfeit pottery worked in the ancient Greek world is very present in private and public collections, thus showing the extent of an issue that, in fact, pervades the history of archaeology.
One of the MemO Project pillars, launched in March 2018 by the Department of Cultural Heritage of the University of Padova, stems from an awareness of this reality. The MemO Project is dedicated to enhancing the effectuation of archaeological artefacts (especially ceramics) within academic training and research.
Accessing the technical, formal and iconographic universe of objects made thousands of years ago requires a wide-ranging apprenticeship: this is why the “Laboratory of Authentication of Archaeological Heritage” was created, an absolute novelty in the Italian academic panorama. Through the analysis of concrete cases, teachers and students can work systematically on each artefact using techniques that integrate humanistic diagnostics with the most advanced analytical and digital imaging techniques. The workshop experience is an essential practical activity essential to which students are introduced to the drawing up of concrete expert reports to training increasing professionals to defend the genuineness of art.
In addition, all materials inspected in the Laboratory and archived due to forgeries will be included in an accessible database. This tool will contribute to the defence of cultural heritage.