Scuola d'archeologo

An analysis of Baldassare Conticello's memoir, Scuola d'archeologo, reveals a multifaceted reflection on the developmental journey of an archaeologist, set against the backdrop of post-war Greece. Writing under the narrative proxy of the young student Biagio, Conticello documents his 1956 apprenticeship at the Italian School of Archaeology in Athens. Through a deeply personal perspective, the text explores the practical, emotional, and social complexities of entering the field under the mentorship of prominent scholars like Doro Levi and Achille Adriani. Interweaving vivid descriptions of Athenian urban spaces, ancient monuments, and daily institutional life, the narrative captures the ideological tension between preserving material remnants of the past and respecting the living present. Ultimately, the work transitions from a traditional obituary into a meditative bildungsroman, examining classical heritage, human connection, and the professional identity of the classical archaeologist.