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Giorgio Buchner

Giorgio Buchner, died at ninety, at his home in Ischia, on 04.02.2005 the legendary archaeologist who brought to light the "Nestor's cup", the first document of the Greek language, he illustrated with his discoveries and studies what you can define the starting point of the history of Ancient Greece. Born in Monaco of Bavaria, he graduated in Naples with a thesis on the prehistory and archeology of Ischia, but only in 1952 was able to begin his research in the valley of San Montano, Lacco Ameno, excavations which led to fundamental discoveries in the necropolis Greek eighth century BC, long remained inviolate.
The results of his excavations, defined Pitecusa "an indispensable bridge for the reconstruction of the history of the West", gave him an international reputation which did not change its habit of extreme confidentiality, privacy, hiding a passion uncommon for his work as an archaeologist, to whom he dedicated all his life. At the beginning the soil contamination of the Cup of Nestor, did not reveal the Greek inscription. Then the restorers rebuilt a bowl with geometric decoration, 10 high and 15 cm wide. On the outer surface appeared three verses graffiti shortly after processing, "Nestor this is the cup from which you drink well but whoever drinks from this cup will be immediately seized by the desire of Aphrodite the beautiful crown," a clear allusion to Homeric derivation. The "Nestor's cup" formed one of the tests, retracing the routes opened by the Mycenaeans, at the beginning of the eighth century. BC, Greek sailors chose the island of Ischia to set up their trade with the Etruscans, rich in metals, which dominated the Campania, but not only. The finding these scholars also the certainty that those men and island formed through the greatest gift that came from the eastern Mediterranean to the West: the alphabet. Discoveries and research for scholars Giorgio Buchner are authentic re-volution in knowledge related to Ancient Greece, but also those relating to ancient Italy.
In 1994, upon the completion of his eighty years, archaeologists David Ridgway and Bruno d'Agostino presented with their broader appreciation for the scholar, a volume written in his honor. The town of Lacco Ameno awarded him honorary citizenship.