Pontifical Academy of Archaeology
Encyclopedia
The Pontifical Academy of Archaeology (or Pontificia Accademia Romana di Archeologia) is an academic honorary society
established in Rome
by the Catholic Church
for the advancement of Christian
archaeological study. It is one of the ten such Pontifical Academies
established by the Holy See
.
responded to public and Church interest in archaeology by establishing an association of students of Roman
archaeology. Antonio Bosio
work on the Catacombs
had drawn the attention of international archaeologists to the early history of Christianity
.
In 1816 Pius VII, on the recommendation of Cardinal Consalvi, gave official recognition to the "Accademia Romana di Archeologia" and the Academy became an important international centre of archaeological study. The Academy's foreign members and lecturers included Niebuhr
, Akerblad, Thorwaldsen, and Nibby as well as sovereigns, Frederick William IV of Prussia
and Charles Albert of Sardinia
.
Later during the 19th century, the Academy became involved in a series of property rights disputes. The academy was determined to prevent damage to monuments by restricting the rights of residents in low-cost housing near the Pantheon
in Rome
. The Academy succeeded in obtaining, from Pope Pius IX
, a decree for the demolition of the houses on the left side of the Rotonda
(Pantheon), and also protested against the digging of new holes in the walls. In 1833, an attempt was made to remove the tomb of Raphael
, but the Academy protested to Pope Gregory XVI
and was again successful. Later, through the efforts of one of its members, the academy was responsible for the restoration of the Tabularium
on the Capitoline Hill
.
As a result of these efforts, Pope Pius VIII
gave the Academy the title of "Pontifical Academy".
.
The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church is the Academy's "protector" and oversight. It has a membership of one hundred, thirty of whom are ordinary members; the others are honorary, corresponding and associate members. Its meetings are held in the palace of the Cancelleria Apostolica. The seal of the Academy represents the ruins of a classical temple, with the motto: "In apricum proferet" (It will bring to light).
In July 2010, the Academy celebrated its 200th anniversary.
Learned society
A learned society is an organization that exists to promote an academic discipline/profession, as well a group of disciplines. Membership may be open to all, may require possession of some qualification, or may be an honor conferred by election, as is the case with the oldest learned societies,...
established in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
by the Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
for the advancement of Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
archaeological study. It is one of the ten such Pontifical Academies
Pontifical Academy
A Pontifical Academy is an academic honorary society established by or under the direction of the Holy See. Some were in existence well before they were accepted as "Pontifical." Currently there are ten academies in Rome:...
established by the Holy See
Holy See
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...
.
History
In the 17th century, Pope Benedict XIVPope Benedict XIV
Pope Benedict XIV , born Prospero Lorenzo Lambertini, was Pope from 17 August 1740 to 3 May 1758.-Life:...
responded to public and Church interest in archaeology by establishing an association of students of Roman
Ancient Rome
Ancient Rome was a thriving civilization that grew on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 8th century BC. Located along the Mediterranean Sea and centered on the city of Rome, it expanded to one of the largest empires in the ancient world....
archaeology. Antonio Bosio
Antonio Bosio
Antonio Bosio was an Italian scholar, the first systematic explorer of subterranean Rome , author of Roma Sotterranea and first urban spelunker.-Biography:Bosio was born in Malta....
work on the Catacombs
Catacombs
Catacombs, human-made subterranean passageways for religious practice. Any chamber used as a burial place can be described as a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman empire...
had drawn the attention of international archaeologists to the early history of Christianity
History of Christianity
The history of Christianity concerns the Christian religion, its followers and the Church with its various denominations, from the first century to the present. Christianity was founded in the 1st century by the followers of Jesus of Nazareth who they believed to be the Christ or chosen one of God...
.
In 1816 Pius VII, on the recommendation of Cardinal Consalvi, gave official recognition to the "Accademia Romana di Archeologia" and the Academy became an important international centre of archaeological study. The Academy's foreign members and lecturers included Niebuhr
Niebuhr
Niebuhr is a German surname.* Barthold Georg Niebuhr, 19th century German statesman and historian* Carsten Niebuhr, 18th century German traveller, explorer and surveyor, and father of Barthold Georg Niebuhr * Reinhold Niebuhr and H. Richard Niebuhr, brothers and American Christian scholars...
, Akerblad, Thorwaldsen, and Nibby as well as sovereigns, Frederick William IV of Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
and Charles Albert of Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
.
Later during the 19th century, the Academy became involved in a series of property rights disputes. The academy was determined to prevent damage to monuments by restricting the rights of residents in low-cost housing near the Pantheon
Pantheon, Rome
The Pantheon ,Rarely Pantheum. This appears in Pliny's Natural History in describing this edifice: Agrippae Pantheum decoravit Diogenes Atheniensis; in columnis templi eius Caryatides probantur inter pauca operum, sicut in fastigio posita signa, sed propter altitudinem loci minus celebrata.from ,...
in Rome
Rome
Rome is the capital of Italy and the country's largest and most populated city and comune, with over 2.7 million residents in . The city is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber River within the Lazio region of Italy.Rome's history spans two and a half...
. The Academy succeeded in obtaining, from Pope Pius IX
Pope Pius IX
Blessed Pope Pius IX , born Giovanni Maria Mastai-Ferretti, was the longest-reigning elected Pope in the history of the Catholic Church, serving from 16 June 1846 until his death, a period of nearly 32 years. During his pontificate, he convened the First Vatican Council in 1869, which decreed papal...
, a decree for the demolition of the houses on the left side of the Rotonda
Rotonda
Rotonda can refer to:* Rotonda, Florida* Rotonda, Basilicata* Villa Capra "La Rotonda", a building in Vicenza, Italy* Rotunda * The Rotonda Condominium in McLean, Virginia....
(Pantheon), and also protested against the digging of new holes in the walls. In 1833, an attempt was made to remove the tomb of Raphael
Raphael
Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino , better known simply as Raphael, was an Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance. His work is admired for its clarity of form and ease of composition and for its visual achievement of the Neoplatonic ideal of human grandeur...
, but the Academy protested to Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI
Pope Gregory XVI , born Bartolomeo Alberto Cappellari, named Mauro as a member of the religious order of the Camaldolese, was Pope of the Catholic Church from 1831 to 1846...
and was again successful. Later, through the efforts of one of its members, the academy was responsible for the restoration of the Tabularium
Tabularium
The Tabularium was the official records office of ancient Rome, and also housed the offices of many city officials. Situated within the Roman Forum, it was on the front slope of the Capitoline Hill, below the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, to the southeast of the Arx and Tarpeian Rock.Within...
on the Capitoline Hill
Capitoline Hill
The Capitoline Hill , between the Forum and the Campus Martius, is one of the seven hills of Rome. It was the citadel of the earliest Romans. By the 16th century, Capitolinus had become Capitolino in Italian, with the alternative Campidoglio stemming from Capitolium. The English word capitol...
.
As a result of these efforts, Pope Pius VIII
Pope Pius VIII
Pope Pius VIII , born Francesco Saverio Castiglioni was Pope in 1829 and 1830.-Biography:He was born in Cingoli, Marche, the son of Count Ottavio Castiglioni and his wife Sanzia Ghislieri. He studied Canon law and, in 1800 became bishop of Montalto...
gave the Academy the title of "Pontifical Academy".
Modern operations
The Academy operates with the guidance and direction of the Pontifical Commission of Sacred ArchaeologyPontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology
The Pontifical Commission of Sacred Archaeology is an official board of the Vatican founded in 1852 by Pope Pius IX for the purpose of promoting and directing excavations in the Catacombs of Rome and on other sites of Christian antiquarian interest, and of safeguarding the objects found during...
.
The Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church is the Academy's "protector" and oversight. It has a membership of one hundred, thirty of whom are ordinary members; the others are honorary, corresponding and associate members. Its meetings are held in the palace of the Cancelleria Apostolica. The seal of the Academy represents the ruins of a classical temple, with the motto: "In apricum proferet" (It will bring to light).
In July 2010, the Academy celebrated its 200th anniversary.
Academy publications
- Leggi della Pontificia Accademia Romana di Archeologia (Rome, 1894)
- Omaggio al II Congresso Internazionale di Archeologia Cristiana in Roma (Rome, 1900)
- Bullettino di Archeologia Cristiana of Giovanni Battista De Rossi (to the end of 1894) passim
- Il Nuovo Bullettino di Archeologia Cristiana (Rome, 1894–1906)