Archaeological Perspectives on the Ardeatine Caves Massacre: Cultural Memory and Material Remains of the Italian Resistance Movement

Abstract

During World War II, the Italian Resistance Movement played a crucial role against fascism and Nazi occupation, profoundly impacting postwar Italy's social and political construction. The Ardeatine Caves Massacre on March 24, 1944, stands as one of the most tragic events in Italian history and a significant example of Nazi atrocities. This paper explores the Ardeatine Caves Massacre's place in Italian cultural memory through an interdisciplinary approach combining archaeology and memory studies, examining how the Italian Resistance is remembered and commemorated via material culture and archaeological remains. The article first reviews the historical context of the Italian Resistance and details the occurrence and aftermath of the massacre. By analyzing relevant archaeological remains, it reveals how this event is reproduced and interpreted in Italy's collective memory. Through archaeological investigations of massacre sites, artifact analysis, and studies of resistance sites, the paper delves into how material evidence reflects and influences social memory construction. Further analysis examines the massacre's role in Italy's cultural heritage and collective memory, analyzing how monuments, museums, and public memorials shape and sustain this memory. Monuments, as part of material culture, significantly shape and perpetuate collective memory. The Mausoleo delle Fosse Ardeatine National Memorial Cemetery, erected in 1949 to honor 335 Italian civilians massacred by Nazi forces, exemplifies this. The monument serves not only as a tribute to the victims but also as a national symbol of anti-fascist resistance and Italian renewal. Additionally, the paper discusses archaeology's role as a tool of memory politics in constructing and identifying historical memory. Finally, integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from history and archaeology, the paper proposes new interpretations and research directions on the Ardeatine Caves Massacre and the Italian Resistance, enriching current understanding of this historical event.