Il kouros di Rhegion

Emerging from an illicit recovery in 1990 to undergo a rigorous, knowledge-driven conservation project in 2020, the Kouros of Rhegion represents a cornerstone of Archaic Magna Graecia statuary. This collective volume investigates the masterpiece from multi-disciplinary perspectives, bridging historical, technological, and archaeometric methodologies. Specialized contributions contextualize the sculpture within broader stylistic and cultural developments of Greek kouroi and korai, analyzing issues of polychromy, multi-material techniques, and regional workshop interactions. Scientific investigations identify the statue's Parian marble provenance, examine its conservation history, and propose plausible functional contexts, particularly regarding the cult of Apollo and choral traditions in ancient Rhegion and Messana. Furthermore, the publication highlights modern avenues of heritage engagement, incorporating tactile 3D technologies, archival documentation, and public restoration strategies. By integrating rigorous empirical data with historiographical synthesis, the volume establishes a foundational reference for understanding Archaic sculpture, illegal art traffic recovery, and modern museum valorization.