ABSTRACT
The 2014–2018 commemorative years of the centenary have spawned an abundance of diverse cultural and scientific initiatives along the south-western front of the First World War. The post-war search for human remains of the fallen ran parallel to the recycling of raw materials. After the Second World War, private collecting began along the front, concentrating on all kinds of militaria. The search for remnants of war gained an economic impetus, with the value of many objects increasing steadily as the events of 1915 to 1918 receded into history. Between 2001 and 2004, several decrees were passed in Italy concerning the status of First World War remains. The material remains of the First World War in the mountains are of many kinds and include: trenches, caverns, barracks, cemeteries, paths, water supply lines, telephone and power lines, inscriptions, graffiti, uniforms and equipment, written documents, etc.
