Un palinsesto di pietra. Le mura di Paestum tra conoscenza, restauri e ricerca applicata

The fortification system of the ancient city of Paestum has provided, over time, many occasions for study and experimentation of different approaches both for the knowledge and the restoration practice. With increasing scientificity and awareness, these latter supported the operational choices from time to time carried out. After a first phase – at the beginning of the 20th century – during which the interventions were defined regardless of the reading of the material evidences, passing through a systematization of the interpretation processes, the conservation actions became more scientific and linked to the results of more in-depth knowledge campaigns. Therefore, within this evolution, the paper considers firstly the works carried out under the direction of Amedeo Maiuri between the Twenties and the Thirties of the 20th century which determined indiscriminate disassemblies and wide recompositions, because of the absence of an adequate knowledge of the palimpsest. Secondly, this work analyses the studies by the bauforschers Fritz Krischen and Helmut Schläger which, since the Forties, experimented a method for the interpretation of the ancient structures, more oriented both to the reading of the material evidences and the direct dialogue with the archaeological reality. Finally, the paper examines the study, excavation and restoration campaigns carried out since the Eighties, and particularly, since the beginning of the 21th century which determined an advanced approach, by supporting the conservation activities with more in-depth knowledge phases. Taking into account both these considerations and the aims of an on field experimentation carried out within the academic didactics and in sharing of intents with the Archaeological Park of Paestum, the paper wants to propose a critical analysis of the history of the studies and restorations of the walls of Paestum that can give evidence of the relationship between the ‘ways’ of knowledge, acquired directly and indirectly, and its effects on the consequent conservation strategies outlined, over time, for the protection of this palimpsest.