Archeologia e Risorgimento. La scoperta degli Etruschi a Bologna / Archaeology and Risorgimento. The discovery of the Etruscans in Bologna

During the italian Risorgimento and unification periods there was a link between the idea of national unity, the exploitation of urban identities and archeology, in particular the archeology of sites belonging to inhabitance of Italy in pre-Roman times. The discoveries concerning the Etruscans particularly influenced historical events and projects related to the future of the newly unified Italy. This paper analyzes the discovery of the Etruscans in Bologna and the consequences with respect to the foundation of the "Museo Civico Archeologico" (Civic Archaeological Museum), known as a major achievement in the city's history, which is aimed at defining and recovering an urban identity according to the the project of national unity.