Astronomy and landscape at the prehistoric settlement Villagio dei Faraglioni, Ustica, Sicily
Part of : Mediterranean archaeology & archaeometry : international journal ; Vol.16, No.2, 2016, pages 167-172
Issue:
Pages:
167-172
Author:
Abstract:
The placement of the Middle Bronze Age settlement Villaggio dei Faraglioni on the Ustica island, one of the best preserved prehistoric village of the Mediterranean area, is analyzed from a cognitive point of view, taking into account archaeoastronomy and landscape archaeology aspects. It turns out that the place might have been selected because of its privileged position with respect to the landscape, better than conforming to utilitarian/defensive considerations, as instead occurs for contemporary, for instance Mycenaean, sites. From the village it was indeed possible to follow the rising and setting of the sun in the months close to the winter solstice on the two elevated peaks existing on the opposite side of the island, in a symmetric way. As a consequence, the inhabitants could determine the day of the winter solstice with an approximation of a few days, using this “partial calendar” for agricultural and navigational purposes. A possible astronomical orientation of the urban layout is also analyzed.
Subject:
Subject (LC):
Keywords:
Archaeoastronomy, Archaeology of Landscape, Ustica Prehistoric Village
Notes:
Περιέχει 8 εικόνες και 1 πίνακα
References (1):
- Counts, D.B. and Tuck, A.S. (2009) Discovery. and. Discourse: Archaeology. and. Interpretation. In: KOINE: Mediterranean Studies in Honor of R. Ross Holloway. Oxbow Books, Oxford.Foresta Martin F., (2014) I misteriosi itinerari dell’ossidiana di Ustica, Lettera del Centro Studi e Documentazione Isola di Ustica, (XVIII) 46-47, pp. 19-22.Holloway, R.R. and Lukesh, S.S., (1995) Ustica I: Excavations of 1990 and 1991. Brown University Center for Old World Archaelogy and Art.Holloway, R.R. and Lukesh, S.S., (2001) Ustica II. Excavations of 1994 and 1999. Brown University: Providence.Hoskin, M. (2001). Tombs, temples and their orientations, Ocarina books, Bognor Regis.Magli, G. (2015) Archaeoastronomy. Introduction to the Science of Stars and Stones. Springer, NY.Mannino, G., (1979). Ustica: risultati di esplorazioni archeologiche. Sicilia Archeologica Tapani, 12(41), pp.7-40.Mannino, G., (1982). Il villaggio dei Faraglioni di Ustica. Notizie preliminari. Studi in onore di F. Rittatore Vonwiller I (1982), p.279.Spatafora F. and Mannino G. (2008). Ustica. Brief Guide. Assessorato Regionale dei Beni Culturali Ambientali e della Pubblica Istruzione, Palermo.Spatafora, F. (2009) Ustica tra il Tirreno e la Sicilia. Storia del popolamento dell’isola dalla Preistoria all’età tardo-romana. In Carmine Ampolo Ed. Immagine e immagini della Sicilia e di altre isole del Mediterraneo antico. Vol. I, Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, Pisa.Voza, G. (1972) Thapsos, primi risultati delle più recenti ricerche. Atti della XIV Riunione scientifica dell’Istituto italiano di preistoria e protostoria: 186-191.Zedda, M., Belmonte, J., (2004) On the orientation of Sardinian nuraghes: some clues to their interpretation. J. Hist. Astronomy 35, 85.
