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Prehistoric Italy: A Roadmap


[Regions of Italy]

Few of us go to Italy specifically searching for prehistoric art, yet it is everywhere and can offer a fascinating break. You'll encounter signs of Paleolithic civilization in the caves at Balzo Rossi (Ventimiglia), Toirano (Savona) and Grotta Guattari (Circeo). The museums of Paestum and Siracusa have excellent collections of ancient objects.

Rock drawing

Rock formations called dolmen and menhir dating back to the Aeneolithic and Bronze Ages are prevalent all over southern Italy, especially in the provinces of Bari and Lecce, and are also visible in the Parco Nazionale delle Incisioni Rupestri in Capo di Ponte (Brescia) and in the Lunigiana region of northern Tuscany. Grottoes containing pictures and graffiti of animals, dating between 14,000 and 9,000 BC, can be found in the Romanelli caves at Santa Cesarea Terme (Lecce), Serra d'Alto (Matera), Roccaforte del Greco (Reggio Calabria), Grotta dell'Addaura (Palermo) and the Egadi Islands.

A trip to Sardinia is not complete without a visit to its nuraghi. Click here for more information.


[Regions of Italy]