On the plain of contrada Castiglione paleolithic occupation layers, relating to the mid Neolithic period (5th millenium B.C.) and the mid Bronze Age (16th-15th centuries B.C.) were found on various levels. In the Bronze Age levels the remains of dwellings were identified, indicating the existence of a settlement which was scattered across the entire plateau. That this is a settlement of the Hellenistic-Lucanian type of the 4th to 3rd century B.C. is attested by the numerous examples of farms situated on high ground and in the middle of vast open spaces destined for cultivation and animal husbandry. The farm at contrada Castiglione di Missanello, datable to within the 4th century B.C. consists of a group of square rooms, of which the dry-stone, cobble foundations remain. Flat tiles with raised edges and imbrices found in the collapse together with traces of burning attest the existence of a heavy roof and perhaps wooden beams. Inside the rooms were the housings for large pithoi and in one case for table-wares (black glaze plates, kitchen-wares, plain buff ware vessels). In the north-east corner of the house is a room, perhaps dedicated to domestic activities, which produced several loom weights, some with incised identification marks and fragments of bronze fibulae. The black glaze and depurated wares fall within the Lucanian- Hellenistic types of the end of the 4th century B.C. The floor level produced several bronze coins, including one showing Taras riding a dolphin, with the legend TARAS attesting the well known contacts with the Ionian area. (Maria Luisa Nava)

At contrada Castiglione, Missanello, on the right bank of the river Sauro, continuing investigations along Section 2 of the oil pipe-line built by ENI brought to light important new evidence regarding the occupation of the area in the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. During previous investigations of the Hellenistic-Lucanian structures in the area, paleolithic levels of the mid- Neolithic period (5th millenium B.C.) and the mid-Bronze Age (16th-15th century B.C.), containing impasto pottery and food remains, had been identified. In the Bronze Age levels were the remains of dwellings, an indication of the existence of a protostoric settlement which extended over the entire plateau. The continuation of this research has brought to light the remains of a large Bronze Age tumulus. The structure is situated within a sub-circular area within which there is a high concentration of cobbles of varying sizes and the remains of what was probably the external footing. Inside were numerous burials, all in a fetal position, two of which were placed within stone cists. A third cist was positioned on the outer edge of the tumulus. The two rectangular cists, formed by large, vertical stone slabs, and the remains of a covering were also visible. Outside one of the cists was another burial. The remains of the third cist, situated outside the tumulus, and the burial it contained had been very badly disturbed by modern agricultural activity, and were therefore very difficult to interpret. Although no grave goods were found within the burials, it is possible to date the monument between the end of the the Enolithic period and the beginning of the early Bronze Age. This is based on pottery of the "Laterza" type and with "scaled" decoration found within the tumulus and in the immediate vicinity. (Maria Luisa Nava)