On the Paths of Prehistory

Using various research methods and sources, the author identifies natural pathways in Milena, central-southern Sicily, that were likely used throughout prehistory to reach the coasts from this inland region that continued to be used in more recent historical periods, including the Roman period and the Middle Ages.

On the Paths of Prehistory presents research on the settlements of the area of Milena in central-southern Sicily (Italy), home to settlements dating from the Neolithic period to the Middle Ages. The author’s archaeological investigations employ integrated remote sensing methodologies to correlate settlement strategies within the particular geomorphology of the landscape. Using various research methods and sources, including satellite imagery, 3D models of the landscape, field and aerial surveys, the author identifies natural pathways that were likely used throughout prehistory to reach the coasts from this inland region that continued to be used in more recent historical periods, including the Roman period and the Middle Ages. Building upon prior scholarship, this work utilizes new visualizations and evidence to re-evaluate central southern Sicily’s relationships with its neighboring regions and the Aegean, revealing the interconnections of the sea, coastal areas, and the Sicilian hinterland. By examining the archaeological heritage of the area in the longue duree, this work demonstrates that the route-ways used in later periods were also used in prehistory. The work concludes with a full topographical catalogue of archaeological sites in this part of Sicily, updating the state of knowledge in the region for the first time in a quarter century.

Introduction Chapter 1. Presentation of the Case Study Geomorphology and topography of Milena area Prehistoric archaeological context The Neolithic and Eneolithic phases The phases of the Bronze Age Chapter 2. The Prehistoric Landscape of Milena Dominant settlement trends Milena in the Neolithic and Eneolithic periods Milena in the Early Bronze Age Milena in the Middle Bronze Age Open problems and prospects for research, protection, and valorisation Chapter 3. Methods Data collection in the field - The use and contribution of UAV technology and photogrammetry The use of GIS applications Use of satellite remote sensing Application of multispectral remote sensing Chapter 4. Discussion of the Data, Prehistoric Routeways, and their Relationship with Historical Roads Middle Neolithic Period to the Early Copper Age The Late Copper Age to the Middle Bronze Age Pathways and cultural relations during the Bronze Age Ancient routeways through Serra del Palco towards the Agrigentine coast Ancient routeways through Sant'Angelo Muxaro to the Agrigentine coasts Conclusion Bibliography Appendix: Topographical Catalogue of Sites Catalogue of archaeological sites,

Introduction

Chapter 1. Presentation of the Case Study

Geomorphology and topography of Milena area

Prehistoric archaeological context

The Neolithic and Eneolithic phases

The phases of the Bronze Age

Chapter 2. The Prehistoric Landscape of Milena

Dominant settlement trends

Milena in the Neolithic and Eneolithic periods

Milena in the Early Bronze Age

Milena in the Middle Bronze Age

Open problems and prospects for research, protection, and valorisation

Chapter 3. Methods

Data collection in the field – The use and contribution of UAV technology and photogrammetry

The use of GIS applications

Use of satellite remote sensing

Application of multispectral remote sensing

Chapter 4. Discussion of the Data, Prehistoric Routeways, and their Relationship with Historical Roads

Middle Neolithic Period to the Early Copper Age

The Late Copper Age to the Middle Bronze Age

Pathways and cultural relations during the Bronze Age

Ancient routeways through Serra del Palco towards the Agrigentine coast

Ancient routeways through Sant’Angelo Muxaro to the Agrigentine coasts

Conclusion

Bibliography

Appendix: Topographical Catalogue of Sites

Catalogue of archaeological sites

Dario Calderone is an archaeologist and postdoctoral researcher at the Institute for Digital Cultural Heritage Studies at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, specializing in ancient topography and digital archaeology. He completed his doctorate at the University of Catania 2023. Since 2021, he has been an Associate Researcher at the University of South Florida’s Institute for Digital Exploration. He has worked on a series of international projects in Italy, Malta, Greece, Germany, and the USA, documenting and conducting research on individual archaeological contexts and landscapes ranging from prehistory to the Roman period and digital applications for the study of archaeology.

• By (author) Dario Calderone