Basilicata itineraries Basilicata, archaeology

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Basilicata, archaeology - The ancient times

Traces of ‘Homo Abilis’ and their culture (Stone Age civilization) have been discovered in major fossil deposits, which go back to the Lower Paleolithic Age, found near Venosa. Here a radiographic analysis of the strata has revealed, among the rhinoceros, bear, deer, elephant, bovine and equine remains, developed Clactonian-type stone works.

Other proof of the Lower Paleolithic Age can be found throughout Basilicata. Many bifacial remains are to be seen in the Valleys of the Bradano and the Grotta dei Pipistrelli near Matera, then those in the Valleys of Vitalba and Atella and Accettura, Tricarico and Muro Lucano.

The Grotta dei Pipistrelli (the Grotto of bats) and those of Fiumicello on the Tyrrhenian coast have also provided traces of the Middle Paleolithic Age which can be found also in Metaponto.

Stone works belonging to the Upper Paleolithic Age have been found in the Grotta Funeraria and in the Grotta dei Pipistrelli near Matera, and along the banks of the Bradano River and in the surrounding area of Matera, with pots etched with geometric figures. It is late prehistory. The Neanderthals were extinct as much as 35,000 years ago, when from the Middle East, Cro-Magnon man reached Europe with their culture and artistic stone-cutting. Examples of that can be found in the Grotto of Tuppo Li Sassi at Filiano.

In 1965 an under rock dwelling was found that revealed Mesolithic works and important rock drawings showing hunting scenes or simply deers comparable to those found on the Iberian Peninsula. At the end of the Ice age, better climatic conditions favored animal and farming. The Neolithic Age brought weaving and pottery, the latter especially in the shape of Matera/Capri, which is two or three colored pottery, and that of Serra d'Alto which etched when raw, was punched and painted with fine circular stripes.

Although the grottoes were still inhabited it was during the Neolithic age that the moat village developed at Serro d'Alto, Tirlecchia, Murgecchia and Murgia Timone on the Matera Murgia and in the Melfi area at Rendina. Settlements of dwellings protected by deep ditches, they dug out of the rock and were situated near water sources. Other Neolithic settlements were at Toppo d'Aguzzo, Gaudiano di Lavello and in the Metaponto district of Basilicata. Traces of the late Neolithic Age are evident in the Grotta di Latronico alongside the metalwork of the Bronze-Anatolic race. The region acts as an exchange/dispute between cultures which will perpetuate down through the ages.

Meanwhile it is certain that the Minoin-Micean were present in Basilicata along the Jonian coast and as legend would have it, this is where the heroes of the Troy saga landed. The Apennine people of the Bronze Age are not only involved in farming with seasonal pastures: the region also hosts two distinct cultural features regarding funeral rites with supine burial (the interment of Aliano and Chiaromonte) or huddled (the necropolis of Incoronata di Pisticci and S. Maria di Anglona). The findings at Timmari are of the late Bronze Age and are the urns of ashes, typical of a proto-villanovian culture. The Iron Age in Basilicata sees the arrival of a new people, the Liky who, in 1300-1200 B.C. left Anatolia and settled south of the Ofanto River.

This is, interestingly enough, the period in which we see the formation of real townships on the high grounds in Basilicata, such as on Mount Torretta di Pietragalla, on Mount Croccia and on Serra di Vaglio and the social organization of a democratic nature of free individuals devoted to craftsmanship, breeding and farming where the land is shared out equally and defense is a community concern.

There is no social division and in the case of war the ‘Basileus’ is the political-military head of the federate tribes. In the meanwhile along the coasts the first Minoin-Micean explorers, traders and craftsmen make contact with the Autoctone populations (Enotris, Chonis, Morgetis, Italis or Siculis) and making way for the first great colonization that would take place from VIII B.C. onwards.

Basilicata itineraries Basilicata, archaeology - The ancient times

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Basilicata, archaeology - The ancient times

Basilicata itineraries
Basilicata, archaeology - The ancient times