SMC Special Issue N.07 2024 | INTRODUCTION

“The art of building dry stone walls, knowledge and techniques” is the topic that provide food for thought by this special issue, when the collective environmental consciousness should be mature following the recognition of the art of dry-stone walls as UNESCO heritage: “This art consists in the construction of walls with stones that intersect and hold together firmly, without using any type of mortar or binder. The application for recognition of the value of these admirable human works was submitted jointly by eight countries: Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland” (2018). We remind everyone of article 9 of the Italian Constitution: “The Republic shall promote the development of culture and scientific and technical research. It shall protect the landscape and the historical and artistic heritage of the Nation. It shall protect the environment, biodiversity and ecosystems, including in the interest of future generations…” Therefore, the appreciation of the value of technical knowledge is the starting point for a conscious maintenance, protection and valorisation of the Italian landscapes. Now we know that material heritage could not exist without the intangible cultural heritage which generated it and that the preservation and protection of the former cannot be separated from full awareness of the important historical value of the latter. […]