EXPLORING THE CAVES OF THE CYCLOPS
Geologists exploring new areas deep in the Pertosa-Auletta caves near Salento (Campania) in the heart of the Alburne Mountains, have uncovered new evidence of human habitation deep inside the heart of the string of grottos famous for their spectacular display of stalactites and weirdly-shaped rock formations.
The remains of a prehistoric stilt village inside the caves has been informally baptized: “The Home of Polyphemus”, after the one-eyed Cyclops who captured the Greek hero Ulysses and his crew, as described in Homer's celebrated “Odessey.”
The similarities with the description in the epic poem are striking. The opening of the grotto is in the wall of a steep rocky cliff 263 above sea level, where it is easy to imagine the enraged giant standing hurling his rocks blindly at the Greek hero's escaping ships.
Recent explorations by a team of Italian, French and British scientists have uncovered new evidence of the life led by the prehistoric inhabitants of the stilt village, including the expansion of the stilt village deeper into the caves. Other clues into life style have come to light in the form of ceramic fragments, bronze implements and traces of food like cereals, berries, figs and the seeds of grapes dating back 3,500 years
The Pertosa-Auletta caves are protected by the Mida Foundation which also runs boat trips along the underground river that traverses the caves.
Info: Tel. +39.0979.397037 info@fondazionemida.it
