Progetti in corso
PRIN PNRR 2022
SOUTH RISK: from data collection to monitoring interventions and risk prevention. A southern history.
Codice del progetto: P2022TA5M8
CUP: H53D23010290001
Durata: novembre 2023-novembre 2025
Bandi di selezione:
A. Bando assegno di ricerca progr. n. 11.100
B. Bando assegno di ricerca progr. n. 11.99
Abstract:
The relationship between man and the environment, between citizens and the institutions responsible of controlling and supporting their productive, ecological, and political interaction with the territory is a topical issue. This project elicits reflections on the sustainability of the actions affecting one’s environment, and on the risks resulting from accidental changes in natural conditions or from careless treatment of the ecological balance. This project aims at rethinking mankind’s relationship with the environment by reconstructing the history of the research and of the institutes created in southern Italy from the 18th to the 20th century. Such technical-scientific efforts had indeed the purpose of investigating and interpreting the natural phenomena that impact human activities and health (meteorological changes, earthquakes, eruptions). The project is consistent with recent national and international research, which deals with Environmental History and in particular with the impact that natural disasters have long had on human activities and communities (e.g., the research conducted at the Cambridge Disaster Research Network, CDRN, at The Environmental Humanities at UCLA, or at the Center for Culture, History, and Environment of the University of Wisconsin. It is also worth mentioning the work of the Italian Society of Environmental History).
This project is intended to highlight scientific research aimed at understanding environmental phenomena and providing cognitive tools to prevent or reduce the risks of disastrous events. It will be focusing on a specific case study, that is, the scientific production of researchers and institutes in southern Italy which were concerned with assessing meteorological, seismic, and volcanic phenomena in the 18th-20th centuries. Italian southern regions were administered by a single central power at least until the Unification of Italy, which allows to consider them as a unitary object of study, albeit with different developments on specific issues. Consequently, it is possible to analyse facts and situations that are not localized but extra-regional. Firstly, this analysis will examine the procedures and instruments for collecting data and surveying the territory’s characteristics.
Then, attention will be paid to the development of interpretative tools aimed at drawing up general assessments (statistics and censuses), and to the creation of institutes designed to foster “knowledge” of the environment. The research group consists of experts in the history of science and institutions belonging to scientific and humanistic research fields, which ensures an interdisciplinary approach. This constitutes an added value, as it allows for a thorough understanding of both general motivations and technical aspects. Research networks from different scientific fields will contribute to a productive interchange of respective study methodologies.
General Objective
This project aims to examine the rich research tradition — based on both data collection activities and the definition of instrumental procedures — on the study of natural phenomena (meteorological, seismic, volcanic) that affected the area of Southern Italy, including Sicily, between the 18th and 20th centuries. The research will also consider how interpretative tools were developed to make general assessments (statistics and censuses) in order to understand the data collected, with attention to the institutes set up specifically for the purpose of fostering “knowledge” of the territory. The project team will carry out an accurate survey of the instrumentation and historical series of data collected at some of the oldest institutes, such as the Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory of Naples and the Seismological Observatory of Messina. All the research findings will be made accessible through a website, with the tentative name of “Science between Sky and Earth”. The project includes the organization of a public exhibition route and other public involvement activities.
Expected results
Historical data collected over time in southern Italy will be made available to researchers. The southern regions of Italy constitute a unique case in Europe, for adverse phenomena and their territorial impact and effects on the environment have often been associated with social and economic upheavals. Therefore, a considerable improvement is expected in the understanding of: 1) the history of scientific observations and theories on catastrophic events, including their effects on the man-made and natural environment; and 2) the history of the social and institutional response to such phenomena. This project will allow the researchers and the citizens to highlight the natural effects of climatic and environmental variations concerning the anthropogenic factor that is unnaturally accelerating these changes, pushing them to a no-return point. It will also provide citizens with additional tools to raise their awareness of the transformations taking place, to encourage better behaviour to safeguard the future of the new generations, and to help institutions to adopt the most appropriate decisions. The project also provides a solid tool to enhance the Neapolitan tradition in the study of meteorology. Furthermore, the project will show the fundamental contribution offered by Neapolitan scientists to the development of climatology in Italy. This scientific tradition has been and still is characterized by a surprising continuity, and spans from the study of the climate in the Mediterranean to the new frontiers of space weather.
- By historians:
This project provides solid tools to enhance the Neapolitan tradition in the study of meteorology, volcanology and geology. It does so by recovering original data, historical studies and tools, and by highlighting the modern scientific approach adopted to study those phenomena in the past. This result will encourage further research into other areas of Neapolitan science, which have not yet been investigated with such broad diachronic and synchronic perspectives. It will stimulate research and active participation in the enhancement of Italy’s cultural heritage.
- By scientists working in the project’s fields of interest:
The project will provide climatologists with an important body of historical data that can help to study and understand local climate changes and seismic and volcanic processes. Today’s development of monitoring methods and of risk prevention from recent data collection is certainly advisable, and it shows a high degree of accuracy from the measurements taken. Nonetheless, the thorough understanding of any natural and potentially adverse phenomena requires knowledge of their history, in order to allow the appointed institutions to take the most appropriate decisions. In this sense, the focus on Southern Italy is particularly important not only because these phenomena have been traditionally tracked since antiquity, but also because natural disasters in this area have left a strong and lasting mark on the man-made environment, on heritage and traditions. For example, some Italian scholars (mainly from the Kingdom of Naples) soon learned that earthquake risk mitigation requires an understanding of where and why earthquakes occur. In fact, catastrophic events in southern Italy attracted the interest of contemporary scholars from other European countries during the 18th and 19th century.
Unità:
Bari: Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro
Francesco Paolo de Ceglia (Professore ordinario), Pierroberto Scaramella (Professore ordinario), Stefano Daniele (Assegnista di ricerca), Andrea Maraschi (Assegnista di ricerca);
Napoli: Università degli Studi di Napoli, Federico II
Salvatore Esposito (Professore associato), Ofelia Pisanti (Professoressa associata), Adele Naddeo (Assegnista di ricerca);
Napoli: INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte
Mauro Gargano (Tecnologo e responsabile del Museo degli Strumenti Astronomici), Emilia Olostro Cirella (Tecnologa) e Clementina Sasso (Ricercatrice);
Messina: Università degli Studi di Messina
Salvatore Magazù (Professore ordinario), Federica Migliardo (Professoressa ordinaria) e Maria Teresa Caccamo (ricercatrice)
Scheda PRIN2022PNRR South Risk
Avanzamento dei lavori
III quadrimestre (1 agosto 2024 - 30 novembre 2024)
Obiettivi raggiunti:
The work of the PRIN research units demonstrates a profound commitment to the preservation, analysis, and dissemination of scientific knowledge and heritage, with a strong emphasis on collaboration across disciplines and institutions.
The Research Unit at the University of Bari Aldo Moro has continued its historical and bibliographic analysis of Apulian meteorology in the 18th and 19th centuries, with a focus on hydrogeological risks and meteorological phenomena. Key investigations addressed historical explanations of red rain, the aftermath of the 1631 Vesuvius eruption, medieval perceptions of the aurora borealis, and archival records of hydrogeological disasters. A workshop on environmental catastrophes fostered scholarly dialogue, and findings will inform future publications. The Unit also advanced studies on Apulian scientific traditions of risk monitoring and prevention, enhancing the understanding of historical disaster management strategies.
At the University of Naples “Federico II”, the focus on Nicola Cirillo’s pioneering work reflects an effort to reconstruct the historical development of observational networks in the Kingdom of Naples. This work connects meteorological and seismic studies to broader scientific methodologies of the 18th century. The team’s examination of Cirillo’s inventions and observational practices further highlights the integration of empirical science with early technological advancements.
The INAF - Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte has demonstrated leadership in digitising and cataloguing historical materials, bridging traditional archival research with modern digital humanities practices. The unit’s emphasis on making these materials accessible through digital repositories is vital for ensuring the longevity of historical data and facilitating interdisciplinary research.
The University of Messina (Department of MIFT) has made significant strides in the restoration and historical analysis of scientific instruments. The restoration of key devices such as the Wiechert Horizontal Pendulum Seismograph and Girlanda seismograph not only preserves the physical artifacts but also brings to life the technological evolution of seismology. This unit’s museum and educational initiatives underscore the importance of connecting historical scientific advancements with contemporary audiences.
Across all units, the integration of historical research, technical restoration, and public engagement reflects a holistic approach to the study of meteorology, seismology, and hydrogeology. By combining archival research, critical analysis, and community outreach, the PRIN project is creating a comprehensive and enduring contribution to the fields of environmental history, scientific heritage, and public science education.
The upcoming presentations at the Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti and the submission of related papers to scientific journals will further solidify the project’s contributions to academic discourse. As these units continue their efforts, the integration of their findings into digital platforms, public exhibitions, and educational programs will enhance the impact and accessibility of their work for future generations.
Attività di diffusione dei risultati svolte:
16 dicembre 2024 – Accademia Peloritana dei Pericolanti, Messina
Giornata di Studi delle unità Prin 2022 Pnrr: “SOUTH RISK: From data collection to monitoring interventions and risk prevention. A southern history”
10 dicembre 2024 – Liceo G. Tarantino di Gravina di Puglia (BA)
Progetto: “Dalle ombre alla luce. Lo sguardo che anima, cura e genera”
Intervento: Stefano Daniele (UniBa), “Lampade eterne. Scienza e miracolo della Luce”.
Religion and science have pursued distinct yet complementary paths, united by the shared ambition of illuminating humanity, both literally and metaphorically. This presentation delves into a fascinating chapter of this endeavour: the 18th century, an era marked by a belief in the existence of inextinguishable sources of light, capable of defying eternal darkness. Two emblematic cases frame this exploration: the oil lamp rendered inexhaustible by Saint Francis Caracciolo and the enigmatic perpetual lamp of Raimondo di Sangro, Prince of Sansevero, a figure poised between scientific genius and alchemy. Eternal lamps, whether real or imagined, continue to resonate with a universal aspiration: the desire to illuminate not only the night but also the depths of the soul and intellect.
Locandina
26 novembre 2024 – Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro
Workshop: “Terre ferite e cieli di sangue. Scienza e percezione dei disastri ambientali dal medioevo all’età contemporanea” – organizzato dall’unità UniBa del progetto Prin Pnrr 2022, South Risk. From data collection to monitoring interventions and risk prevention. A southern history (COD. progetto: P2022TA5M8 – CUP: H53D23010290001)
Interventi: Stefano Daniele (UniBa), “Piogge di sangue, piogge di ferro. Meteorologia e meraviglia nella Puglia del Settecento”; Andrea Maraschi (UniBa), “Cieli rosso fuoco. Aurora boreale e carestia nell’Alto Medioevo”.
This event, hosted by the University of Bari, explored the interplay between meteorological phenomena, environmental risks, and their cultural perceptions across history, with a striking emphasis on the colour red as a symbol of awe, catastrophe, and resilience. Presentations spanned centuries and disciplines: from the haunting medieval accounts of aurora borealis linked to famine, to the fascinating 18th-century studies delving into extraordinary natural occurrences. The programme culminated in a discussion drawing contemporary parallels between fiction and environmental crises. The conference wove a vivid tapestry of science, history, and storytelling, inviting reflection on humanity’s enduring relationship with nature’s crimson warnings.
25 ottobre 2024 – Festival “Eco Culture. Culture per la transizione ecologica”, Fiera dell’agricoltura (6a ed.) – Area mercatala “P. Munno”, Sammichele di Bari (BA)
Intervento: Francesco Paolo de Ceglia (UniBa)
The “Eco Culture. Culture per la transizione ecologica” festival took place at the 6th Agriculture Fair in Sammichele di Bari. Hosted at the “P. Munno” market area, the event highlighted sustainable agricultural practices, ecological innovation, and cultural approaches to ecological transition, fostering dialogue between experts, farmers, and the public.
9-13 settembre 2024 – 110° Congresso Nazionale della Società Italiana di Fisica, Bologna
Intervento: Salvatore Esposito (UniNa), “Il caso storico del “terremoto elettrico”: fondamentali contributi italiani”
The hypothesis regarding an electrical origin of earthquakes emerged in the second half of the 18th century, during a period strongly characterised by studies on electrical phenomena. It was based on empirical evidence considered solid, seemingly confirmed by model experiments. Although primarily developing into a theory of an empirical nature, it nonetheless presented a “clean” scientific reasoning, linking back to Franklin’s studies on atmospheric electricity. This hypothesis was particularly supported by Italian scholars, who benefited from numerous direct observations of seismic events. Among these scholars, Saverio Poli provided an accurate and comprehensive explanation of both the disastrous Calabrian earthquake of 1783 and the equally devastating “Sant’Anna earthquake” of 1805, drawing upon all available pertinent phenomenology, not limited to electrical phenomena. In this paper, we reconstruct the birth, development, and subsequent evolution of the “electric earthquake” paradigm up to the early 19th century, with particular focus on some of Poli’s works (including unpublished ones).
Programma Bologna 9-13 Settembre 2024
4-7 settembre 2024 – 11th Conference of the European Society for the History of Science (ESHS). Science, Technology, Humanity, and the Earth, Barcellona
Intervento: Salvatore Esposito (UniNa), “Thunderstorms underground: the interesting case of the ʽelectric earthquake’ in the 18th and 19th centuries”
The central theme was Science, Technology, Humanity, and the Earth, that is, the numerous ways in which mankind can use science to understand, represent and intervene in the world. Papers aimed at analysing how epidemics, wars and climate change are connected, and how humanity can face challenges that can threaten its future and the future of the planet where it lives.
Salvatore Esposito presented a paper by the title “Thunderstorms underground: the interesting case of the ‘electric earthquake’ in the 18th and 19th centuries”, where he examined “electric hypothesis” of the causes of earthquakes, which emerged in the second half of the eighteenth century as part of the first studies of seismology. He discussed the development and the later evolution (up to the beginning of the nineteenth century) of the “electric earthquake” paradigm, and showed how electrical science shaped earthquake science to a considerable degree.
Programma Barcellona, 4-7 Settembre 2024
II quadrimestre (1 aprile 2024 - 31 luglio 2024)
Obiettivi raggiunti:
The PRIN research project has continued to advance the historical study of meteorological, seismic, and hydrogeological phenomena in Southern Italy, achieving key milestones across its research units.
The University of Bari Aldo Moro completed cataloguing monographs, articles, and archival materials on 18th- and 19th-century Apulian meteorology, emphasising hydrogeological risks. A new bibliographic database was created, integrating fragmented inventories of Apulian scientists. Research fellows compiled a substantial bibliographic collection and initiated its critical analysis, forming the basis for future publications and a digital biographical compendium complementing Scienziati di Puglia (2007). This unit also began contextualising monitoring and risk prevention within the region’s scientific tradition and collaborated with local initiatives, including the EcoCulture project, to raise awareness about climate change and environmental risks.
The University of Naples “Federico II” deepened its exploration of meteorology’s development in the Kingdom of Naples, focusing on Nicola Cirillo’s contributions to James Jurin’s international observation network (1723). The research analysed letters, earthquake reports, and meteorological observations from Naples, highlighting early monitoring efforts and risk prevention interventions within the Kingdom’s scientific tradition.
The INAF - Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory concentrated on published and unpublished sources related to meteorology and monitoring traditions in Apulia. It coordinated activities with other units, identified materials for digitisation, and secured authorisations for their transfer and digitisation.
The University of Messina (Department of MIFT) advanced its work on the Seismological Observatory, collecting and analysing historical data for digitisation. Restoration efforts on scientific instruments began, alongside plans for a museum exhibition showcasing the Observatory’s scientific evolution. This unit also initiated the design of multimedia content for a virtual museum, enhancing public engagement and integrating with the project’s digital platform.
These interdisciplinary efforts not only preserve valuable historical data but also provide tools for future research, fostering public awareness of scientific heritage and environmental challenges.
I quadrimestre (1 dicembre 2023 - 31 marzo 2024)
Obiettivi raggiunti:
The PRIN research project has achieved significant advancements in the historical study of meteorological, seismic, and volcanological phenomena across Southern Italy. Each research unit contributed unique insights, establishing a multidisciplinary understanding of natural phenomena and their cultural, social, and scientific implications.
The University of Bari Aldo Moro focused on meteorological research in Apulia from the 18th to 19th centuries, analysing archival and bibliographic sources concerning prominent figures such as Giuseppe Maria Giovene and Cosimo de Giorgi. This research uncovered collections of theses and manuscripts that illuminate hydrogeological risks and the perception of atmospheric phenomena. The study also addressed broader issues, including drought and the institutionalisation of scientific centres, laying the groundwork for a multidisciplinary exploration of historical and societal impacts.
The University of Naples “Federico II” concentrated on understanding natural disasters in Southern Italy between the 18th and 20th centuries. By analysing primary and secondary sources, the team reconstructed the historical development of studies on catastrophic events. Particular emphasis was placed on early meteorological networks in Europe and Italy, highlighting their role in scientific data collection and dissemination.
The Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory (INAF Naples) coordinated efforts to identify bibliographic and archival materials relevant to meteorology in Naples. Its work included cataloguing existing and newly uncovered documents, assessing digitised resources, and expanding knowledge through national and international repositories.
The University of Messina investigated the historical contributions of the Messina Seismological Observatory. The unit traced the development of seismological and meteorological research from the late 19th to 20th centuries, collected original documentation, and initiated the restoration of historical scientific instruments.
Together, these efforts provide an enriched understanding of natural phenomena and their historical, scientific, and societal significance, while preserving invaluable scientific heritage.
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