Cortona: olive pruning completed in the MAEC Archaeological Park (Sodo, Tanella Angori, François Tum

Cortona: olive maintenance in the MAEC Archaeological Park

Pruning and care operations have been completed on olive trees located in key areas of the MAEC Archaeological Park in Cortona, including Sodo, Tanella Angori and the François Tumulus. The work is part of an agreement aimed at combining archaeological preservation with management of traditional olive groves.

The initiative is promoted by the Etruscan Academy of Cortona in partnership with the association Oleacademia Eleiva Cortonensis. Its purpose is to protect historic olive trees and to enhance local olive oil production along the park’s heritage routes.

Why the intervention matters

• Heritage protection: pruning operations are designed to respect and safeguard archaeological assets while applying suitable agronomic measures.
• Landscape enhancement: maintaining historic olive groves preserves rural identity and improves access to routes such as the "olive groves path".
• Support for local products: the project links the territory's agricultural history to the quality and recognition of Cortona olive oil.
• Cultural and educational activities: planned outreach will explain the olive-growing tradition and the relationship between agriculture and archaeology.

Participants

The agreement involves municipal representatives, the Etruscan Academy and Oleacademia Eleiva Cortonensis. The agriculture delegate described pruning as the first phase of a broader plan to enhance historic olive groves.

Next steps and practical outcomes

• Ongoing monitoring and periodic maintenance to ensure tree health and landscape integrity.
• Development of themed trails and educational materials linking archaeological sites and agricultural history.
• Training initiatives for farmers and visitors to spread best practices in grove management.

Expected impact: stronger ties between archaeological conservation and the agrarian landscape, improved park enjoyment and support for the local olive oil sector.