Archaeological area of ​​Cava d'Ispica

The Archaeological Park of Cava d'Ispica is located in the northern part of the valley which is extended among large and impressive gorges for about 14km. The monumental archaeological evidences which are currently visible have been found thanks to the excavations in the rock and they can be ascribed to three periods: the prehistoric period, the Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages.

Evidences of the Ancient Bronze Age (the Castelluccio age which dates back to 2200- 1450 BC) are a number of settlements scattered along the valley, with oven tombs necropolis. Among them, there is the necropolis of Baravitalla, located in the northern part of the quarry, with a monumental well preserved tomb, with a façade decorated with ten pillars. In the above plain, the remains of the village have been found, together with the original archaeological finds (e.g. plates with spheres) and numerous terracotta ornaments.

Even during the Late Antiquity, the valley featured an impressive necropolis with catacombs and small burial tombs. Among them, there is the Larderia catacomb, which is divided into three aisles and contains more than 400 burial graves, dating back to the 4th and 5th century A.D. Other Christian evidences can be found in the other burial area called “Camposanto caves”.

References:

• sicilyforall.com

Address

Crocevia Cava Ispica 81, Modica, Italy

Details

Founded: 2200 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Italy