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)