Italian Budget Woes Downgrade Study of Pre-Roman Cultures of Italy

I have been struck that the Italian budget axe appears to be falling most heavily on institutions studying Magna Graecia, Sicily and the Etruscan civilizations. See http://culturalpropertyobserver.blogspot.com/2010/07/budget-woes-hit-italian-archaeology.html

This has relevance to the AIA's proposal that import restrictions be extended to ancient coins from Italy. During May's hearing on the MOU with Italy, the AIA's President focused much of his attention on the coins of the Greek and Etruscan civilizations of Italy. See http://culturalpropertyobserver.blogspot.com/2010/05/full-report-on-cpac-hearing-on-proposed.html

Yet, now we hear that Italy's state funding for study of these areas will be greatly diminished. Again, all this further undercuts the already flawed premise that import restrictions will somehow help promote archaeological research.