Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is currently embroiled in what is politely being called a ‘sex scandal’, all revolving around his relations with a female escort. Normally this wouldn’t be historical material for a few decades, but an offhand comment to said lady has sparked an investigation dealing with archaeological matters. In one transcript Berlusconi told the escort that he had found 30 Phoenician tombs on an estate he owns, the Phoenicians being a Mediterranean culture which pre-dates the Roman Empire.
Innocent enough, but in Italy anyone finding ancient remains has to report the finding, or face up to a year in prison. There is no record of Berlusconi reporting the alleged tombs, which would constitute a major discovery. The Telegraph has a quote from archaeologist Giuseppina Manca di Mores explaining why: "For years historians have debated whether the nearby town of Olbia was founded by the Greeks or the Phoenicians and these tombs could be the breakthrough needed to provide the answer." Indeed, "…we are calling for an immediate examination because the historical significance of these tombs is vital to the study of the Phoenician civilisation which we know was significant in the Mediterranean.”
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