Dolmen of Chianca

The dolmen of Chianca is truly unique: One of the most important Europe for its size and beauty and for the great number of findings that were uncovered there. The Dolmen consisting of three or more upright stones supporting a large flat horizontal capstone (table), although there are also more complex variants. Most date from the early Neolithic period (4000 to 3000 BC). Dolmens were usually covered with earth or smaller stones to form a barrow, though in many cases that covering has weathered away, leaving only the stone “skeleton” of the burial mound intact.

It was discovered on 6 August 1909 by Mosso and Samarelli, who were responsible for the first excavations. Gervasio continued his search throughout the course of 1910. The tomb belongs to the type with long corridor, and consists of a burial chamber and an access corridor. The chamber is 1.80 m in height and is made up of three large vertical slabs made of limestone over which rests a cover slab that measures 2.40 m x 3.80 m.The excavations  performed in the chamber and in the dromos have yielded many human remains that can be estimated to be those of about ten individuals and a wide range of funeral objects, kneaded ceramic vases, necklace beads and pendants, a fusaiola (bored piece) and fragments of obsidian and silica blades , a bronze falera (valour medal) . The remains of a circular fireplace was found almost at the centre of the dromos, one that must have been lit many times for ritual purposes.

References:

• leterredifederico.it

Address

Bisceglie, Italy

Details

Founded: 4000-3000 BCE
Category: Prehistoric and archaeological sites in Italy