Un approccio integrato al fenomeno delle archeomafie in Italia. Una proposta di lettura tra archeologia, diritto e criminologia

Abstract

Starting from the success found by the term “archeomafia”, this work aims to offer a reflection
on this topic from an archaeological, criminological and criminal law perspective within the vast field of
involvement of organised crime in art and antiquities. In particular, the term is analyzed from the moment
of its genesis, which occurred almost by chance and by analogy with other areas such as crimes against the
environment. The expression, certainly captivating for the media, if not contextualized can however be a
source of misunderstanding, since it seems to imply that every organizated crime groups involved in illicit
activities in cultural heritage sector is automatically a mafia organizated groups. A contradictory and at least
ambiguous picture is what emerges from the analysis of the scientific literature produced on the topic
and from the evidence collected from some investigations and operations carried out in Sicily and Calabria.
At least from a criminological but not legal perspective, the mafia connotation may only be evident in a few
significant cases presented here, which are however the result of particular territorial and personal situations
and therefore any generalization may be even harmful.

Keywords: cultural heritage, archaeology, criminology, organized crime, trafficking cultural objects.