Gruppo Archeologico Torinese

The Gruppo Archeologico Torinese (GAT) is a cultural volunteer organization based in Turin, Italy, registered in the Piedmont Region Volunteer Register under the section for the protection and enhancement of historical and artistic heritage. It was founded in Turin in December 1983 on the initiative of Ludovico Magrini, the founder of the Gruppi Archeologici d'Italia (GA d'Italia), who tasked Alfonso Fracchia — a former FIAT executive with a passion for history and archaeology, and later the GAT's first director — with establishing a local branch of GA d'Italia in the city. From its inception, the GAT contributed operationally to the national association, collaborating in various capacities with its leadership in managing archaeological camps in Lazio (at Tolfa, Falerii Novi, Tuscania, and Rofalco), an activity that continued intensively and without interruption for more than twenty years. In 1992 the GAT formally constituted itself by notarial deed, adopting its own statute, while retaining its status as the Turin local branch of GA d'Italia and continuing to participate actively in the latter's social life. In 2006, definitively leaving the GA d'Italia association, it assumed complete administrative and programmatic autonomy. The association carries out its activities free of charge and independently, in full respect of the law and in collaboration with institutions at every level, above all with the superintendencies responsible for the protection and enhancement of archaeological heritage. The GAT is distinguished by its participation in excavation campaigns under the direction of the competent superintendencies, predominantly in Piedmont (in the Susa Valley at the sites of Villarfocchiardo, San Valeriano di Borgone, Chianocco, Chiomonte, and Cascina Parisio near Susa) but also in other Italian regions (Tuscany, Lazio, and Calabria), in collaboration with GA d'Italia and other similar associations. It also conducts territorial surveys that have led to the discovery and reporting of several archaeological sites in the Turin area, including Bric San Vito di Pecetto and prehistoric sites near Castelvecchio di Testona (Moncalieri), near the fortress of Verrua Savoia (former quarry), in Val Casternone (Val della Torre), and in the territory of Caselette. Between 2004 and 2012 the GAT conceived, organized, and managed the Campo Archeologico Monti del Fiora near Sorano (Grosseto), at the proposal and under the direction of the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Tuscany, whose results were collected in the volume "Il territorio di Sovana. Un decennio di ricognizioni e indagini archeologiche." The association also carries out extensive outreach through exhibitions (such as La Collina Torinese, Publica Strata, Boschi&Castelli, Bric San Vito dal passato al presente, and Torino Quadrata), lecture series (such as ArcheoTorino in 2011), introductory archaeology meetings (Archeoinsieme), and editorial products, notably the Guida Archeologica di Torino and the Manuale del Volontario in Archeologia. Enhancement initiatives include opening the archaeological collection of the Real Collegio di Moncalieri to the public in 2016, crowned in 2019 by the publication of an explanatory text, and opening the archaeological site of Industria (Monteu da Po, Turin) to the public as part of the Domenica al Museo initiative. Membership varies between 60 and 100 members from year to year. Since 2012 the association's headquarters has been at via Santa Maria 6/E in Turin.

The Gruppo Archeologico Torinese (GAT) was founded in Turin in December 1983, inspired by Ludovico Magrini, the founder of the Gruppi Archeologici d'Italia (GA d'Italia). Magrini entrusted Alfonso Fracchia, a former FIAT executive with a passion for history and archaeology, with establishing a local branch of GA d'Italia in Turin; Fracchia became the GAT's first director. From its establishment, the GAT contributed operationally to the national association, collaborating in various capacities with its leadership in managing archaeological camps in Lazio (at Tolfa, Falerii Novi, Tuscania, and Rofalco), an activity that continued intensively and without interruption for over twenty years. In 1992 the GAT formally constituted itself by notarial deed, adopting its own statute, while retaining its status as the Turin local branch of GA d'Italia and continuing to participate actively in the latter's social life. In 2006, definitively leaving the GA d'Italia association, it assumed complete administrative and programmatic autonomy. The association carries out its activities free of charge and independently, in full respect of the law and in collaboration with institutions at every level, above all with the superintendencies responsible for the protection and enhancement of archaeological heritage. It participates in excavation campaigns under the direction of the competent superintendencies, predominantly in Piedmont (in the Susa Valley at Villarfocchiardo, San Valeriano di Borgone, Chianocco, Chiomonte, and Cascina Parisio near Susa) but also in other Italian regions (Tuscany, Lazio, and Calabria), in collaboration with GA d'Italia and other similar associations. It conducts territorial surveys that have led to the discovery and reporting of several archaeological sites in the Turin area, including Bric San Vito di Pecetto and prehistoric sites near Castelvecchio di Testona (Moncalieri), near the fortress of Verrua Savoia (former quarry), in Val Casternone (Val della Torre), and in the territory of Caselette. Between 2004 and 2012 the GAT conceived, organized, and managed the Campo Archeologico Monti del Fiora near Sorano (Grosseto), at the proposal and under the direction of the Superintendency for Archaeological Heritage of Tuscany; the results were collected in the volume "Il territorio di Sovana. Un decennio di ricognizioni e indagini archeologiche." The association also carries out extensive outreach through exhibitions (such as La Collina Torinese, Publica Strata, Boschi&Castelli, Bric San Vito dal passato al presente, and Torino Quadrata), lecture series (such as ArcheoTorino in 2011), introductory archaeology meetings (Archeoinsieme), and editorial products, notably the Guida Archeologica di Torino and the Manuale del Volontario in Archeologia. Enhancement initiatives include opening the archaeological collection of the Real Collegio di Moncalieri to the public in 2016, crowned in 2019 by the publication of an explanatory text, and opening the archaeological site of Industria (Monteu da Po, Turin) to the public as part of the Domenica al Museo initiative. Membership varies between 60 and 100 members from year to year. Since 2012 the association's headquarters has been at via Santa Maria 6/E in Turin.

• 2019

  Publishes an explanatory text on the Real Collegio di Moncalieri collection.

• 2016

  Opens the archaeological collection of the Real Collegio di Moncalieri to the public.

• 2012

  Headquarters moves to via Santa Maria 6/E in Turin.

• 2011

  Organizes the ArcheoTorino lecture series.

• 2006

  Definitively leaves GA d'Italia, assuming complete administrative and programmatic autonomy.

• 2004

  Begins organizing and managing the Campo Archeologico Monti del Fiora near Sorano (Grosseto), continuing until 2012.

• 1992

  Formally constituted by notarial deed, adopting its own statute while remaining a local branch of GA d'Italia.

• 1983

  Founded in Turin in December on the initiative of Ludovico Magrini; Alfonso Fracchia becomes first director.

A volunteer-driven cultural association dedicated to archaeological research, protection, and public engagement, operating in partnership with Italian heritage authorities.

• Guida Archeologica di Torino

• Manuale del Volontario in Archeologia

• Il territorio di Sovana. Un decennio di ricognizioni e indagini archeologiche

• Bric San Vito Festival

• Torino Medievale 3D

• Archeopillole

• Domenica al Museo

1. 1Entra con noi nel mondo dell'archeologia - archeogatarcheogat.it
2. 2Gruppo Archeologico Torinese - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Gruppo archeologico torinese - Wikipediait.wikipedia.org