“Behind the Laurentum there is the satisfaction of 30 years of work”

“Behind this award there is great satisfaction, 30 years of work in various nations of the Middle East, an area continually troubled by internal wars and also external wars and the defense of the archaeological heritage of those nations is a duty that I carry out in Azerbaijan and also Iraq. Thanks to the diplomacy of our ambassadors we are able to carry out this work two, three months a year. They are great sacrifices but then we bring home a result such as the creation of an exhibition, such as the one we are doing at the University of Catania, with objects from the British Museum and other museums. Bringing pieces of the ancient Mesopotamian culture from 5,000 years ago to Italy is something I am proud of.” Thus the archaeologist Nicola Laneri, awarded yesterday with the Laurentum Special Prize ‘Save the Cultural Heritage’ at the Sala della Regina of Chamber of Deputies at Palazzo Montecitorio.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs – underlines the archaeologist – is a driving force towards our efforts. There is collaboration with scholars from various nations: today for example, in Iraq Italy is the nation most present in the greatest number of missions archaeological because Iraqis blindly trust our tradition in archaeology, restoration, conservation and promotion of cultural heritage”.