Giovanni Spano e gli studi archeologici sui territori minerari della Sardegna preindustriale

Giovanni Spano, a pivotal fgure in Sardinian historiography, is honored for his infuential yet under-researched studies on pre-industrial mining in Sardinia. This paper revisits Spano’s work within the cultural context of the post-1848 administrative unification of Sardinia with the Savoy territories, which brought significant changes to local mining laws. The study highlights the unique research questions Spano formulated during the late 19th century, useful to reveal the social structures of ancient mining communities. Emphasis is placed on Spano’s engagement with industrial mining elites and his role as a cultural mediator between European experts and Sardinian intellectuals, underscoring his enduring impact on the discipline.