The Pillars of Geology: The Lyell Medal at the Temple of Serapis

On Friday 29 September (16 pm) a commemorative plaque will be delivered for the prestigious international prize that the Geological Society of London has awarded this year to the English geologist Peter Clift

For the first time in Italy, the winner of the international “Lyell Medal” will be celebrated inside the archaeological site of Macellum (the so-called Temple of Serapis) in Pozzuoli, whose iconic columns are engraved on one of the faces of the medal that, since 1876, the ancient British institution has awarded every year to the geologist who has made innovative contributions to Earth Sciences with his research. The prize was established in honor of the Scottish scientist Charles Lyell (1797-1875), universally recognized as one of the founding fathers of geology as a modern science.

The event is organized by the Campi Flegrei Archaeological Park, the Geological Society of London and La Terra dei Miti, a cultural enterprise led by architect Maria Caputi, which promotes knowledge of the value of the Campi Flegrei territory and which in the two-year period 2021-2023 managed the monument in partnership with the Archaeological Park. The idea for the event was born precisely during the period of activities dedicated to the enhancement of the monument.

The choice of location as the venue for the event is not accidental: in 1828 Lyell visited the Macellum, believing that the holes made by sea dates on the three tall Cipollino marble shafts were the best proof of the slow movements of the Earth's crust, thus intuiting the phenomenon of bradyseism. The three columns were therefore represented on the frontispiece of his work, Principles of Geology, published in two volumes in 1830 and 1832, considered the cornerstone of modern geology. This book made the Pozzuoli monument a universal icon in the history of scientific thought.

The date, September 29, is also no coincidence, as it commemorates both the anniversary of the eruption of Monte Nuovo (1538) and the celebration of the “European Researchers’ Night”. For the occasion, Peter Clift will illustrate the contribution of his research aimed at understanding the global dynamics of the planet. Two other speeches, by professors Mike Benton and Luca Ciancio, will contribute to increasing awareness of the scientific value of the monument that is now a symbol of Pozzuoli and bradyseism. The speeches will be moderated by Andrea Moccia, founder of Geopop, an editorial project for scientific dissemination.

Peter Clift will receive the commemorative plaque donated by the Rotary Club Campi Flegrei, and President Brunello Canessa will name him an honorary member.

Professor of Stratigraphic Geology Alessandro Iannace coordinates the opening of the works and the institutional greetings. The director of the Archaeological Park of the Phlegraean Fields, Fabio Pagano, will be present; the mayor of Pozzuoli, Luigi Manzoni; Antonio Sabino, mayor of Quarto for the Metropolitan City of Naples; the director of the Vesuvius Observatory-INGV, Mauro Di Vito; the director of the Geological Society of London, Ruth Allington; the Honorary Consul of the United Kingdom, Pierfrancesco Valentini.

The initiative is supported by the Campania Region, the Rotary Club Campi Flegrei, the Municipality of Pozzuoli and Aporema Onlus.

It is sponsored by the Municipality of Pozzuoli, the Metropolitan City of Naples, the Department of Earth, Environmental and Resource Sciences (DISTAR) of the Federico II University, and the European Researchers' Night 2023.

The event is free. To participate, send an email to: pa-fleg.comunicazione@cultura.gov.it

For more information: https://laterradeimiti.it/2023/08/06/the-columns-of-geology-the-lyell-medal-al-temple-of-serapis/