'Nuestro criterio había de ser mucho más beneficioso para la ciencia’: Vives Escudero’s contribution to Phoenicio-Punic archaeology in the contemporary cultural context

Chiara Maria Mauro

doi:10.14198/lvcentvm.17189

Abstract

Antonio Vives Escudero is a key figure in understanding the rising interest in antiquities in early 20th-century Spain. However, scholars have more frequently acknowledged his role as a collector or antiquarian rather than his involvement in contemporary intellectual debate. On the one hand, it is true that, at this stage, it is difficult to discern antiquarianism from archaeology; additionally, such a categorisation contributed to underlining some of Vives’ strong points (e.g. his commercial instinct). Conversely, this interpretation has undermined his intellectual role, reducing the importance of his contribution to the development of Phoenicio-Punic archaeology in Spain. Therefore, the general aim of this contribution is twofold. It contextualises Vives into the wider scenario of the rising interest in Phoenicio-Punic archaeology and addresses the central question of whether, behind his commercial and collecting interests, he made a real contribution to the development of Phoenicio-Punic archaeology in Spain.

Highlights

At the turn of the 20th century, the rising interest in Phoenicio-Punic antiquities fostered an intense movement of ideas amongst scholars, aimed at developing a framework for studying the previously little-known Phoenicio-Punic culture
On the island of Ibiza, the earliest archaeological works started at the beginning of the 20th century under the aegis of the SAE (Sociedad Arqueológica Ebusitana) and they continued until 1910
The general aim of this paper is to address the central question of whether, behind his commercial and collecting interests, Vives made an actual contribution to the development of Phoenicio-Punic archaeology in Spain

Summary

INTRODUCTION

At the turn of the 20th century, the rising interest in Phoenicio-Punic antiquities fostered an intense movement of ideas amongst scholars, aimed at developing a framework for studying the previously little-known Phoenicio-Punic culture. The general aim of this paper is to address the central question of whether, behind his commercial and collecting interests, Vives made an actual contribution to the development of Phoenicio-Punic archaeology in Spain To this end, Vives will be placed into the wider intellectual scenario of that period, when a significant movement of ideas was taking place among different scholars interested in Phoenicio-Punic archaeology. Vives will be placed into the wider intellectual scenario of that period, when a significant movement of ideas was taking place among different scholars interested in Phoenicio-Punic archaeology To start with, his approach to Phoenicio-Punic archaeology will be examined, identifying the considerations that might have led him to develop a scientific interest in the island of Ibiza; secondly, the criteria he decided to follow during the excavation (if any) will be determined; lastly, his published and unpublished works on Phoenicio-Punic archaeology will be used to understand how he engaged with contemporary Phoenicio-Punic scholarship. The ultimate goal is to offer an adequate analysis of Vives as a scholar, avoiding the risk of undervaluing his impact and having a one-sided conceptualisation of his role

VIVES’ APPROACH TO THE ISLAND OF IBIZA

THE CATÁLOGO MONUMENTAL DE LAS ISLAS BALEARES

VIVES’ EXCAVATIONS AT PUIG DES MOLINS AND THE STUDY OF THE FINDINGS

CONCLUSIONS