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<< Feature Articles >> The Ceresio Valley - Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature in Italy in Lombardia

Submitted by mpwpir on Friday, 01 March 2013  Page Views: 12822

Natural PlacesSite Name: The Ceresio Valley
Country: Italy Region: Lombardia Type: Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature

Latitude: 45.912231N  Longitude: 8.911815E
Condition:
5Perfect
4Almost Perfect
3Reasonable but with some damage
2Ruined but still recognisable as an ancient site
1Pretty much destroyed, possibly visible as crop marks
0No data.
-1Completely destroyed
2 Ambience:
5Superb
4Good
3Ordinary
2Not Good
1Awful
0No data.
no data Access:
5Can be driven to, probably with disabled access
4Short walk on a footpath
3Requiring a bit more of a walk
2A long walk
1In the middle of nowhere, a nightmare to find
0No data.
no data Accuracy:
5co-ordinates taken by GPS or official recorded co-ordinates
4co-ordinates scaled from a detailed map
3co-ordinates scaled from a bad map
2co-ordinates of the nearest village
1co-ordinates of the nearest town
0no data
5

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wolfgangschreiber visited on 2nd Feb 2013 - their rating: Cond: 4 Amb: 5 Access: 3 Except for porphyroid outcrops, there is no doubt, for my experience, that findings described are not casual. There is a precise orientation. Petroglyphs are evident. I think that these sites of Val Ceresio were freqented, presumably, from Neolithic. Further studies are desirable. The findings could also be described in connection with the nearby Neolithic hill settlement of Tremona (TI, Switzerland), also on the slopes of Monte San Giorgio.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 1 from Megalithism in Ceresio Valley (N.-W. Lombardy, Italy). A Stone Wall (Vote or comment on this photo)
Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley (NW Lombardy, Italy) by Alfredo Pirondini, Gian Paolo Bocca, Filippo Pirondini and Cecilia Pirondini
The authors describe their megalithic findings, inclulding possible petroglyphs which have orientations that may indicate an archaeological and archaeoastronomical intention in prehistoric or protohistoric times. There follows an analysis of possible future research.

Introduction
The described findings are located in Porto Ceresio (Varese District, North-Western Lombardy, Italy), belonging to the current "Regio Insubrica" ​​(a Cross-Border Community: Euroregion established in 1995), on the border with Canton Ticino (TI), belonging to the Swiss Confederation (CH), on the South-Western slopes of Monte San Giorgio (i.e. Mount St. George), UNESCO World Heritage.
The resort is located on Southern coast of Lugano Lake (or Ceresio), a pre-Alpine lake formed between 18,000 and 15,000 years ago, at the end of the last ice age.

The name “Ceresio” has unclear origins. Some derives from the Latin “cerasus” (i.e. Cherry), but from deeper linguistic analysis, lemmas “keres”, “krres”, “kar”, “ker”, the roots *krs and, above all, *kr are related to the concepts of altitude and elevation. Hence the Celtic - Insubric “kar”, meaning: rock, prominence, horn.

By further linguistic analysis (4), "Ceresio" is not a toponym, but a hydronym, derived from the root *shr, related to "current" (s) of "water" (hr). Since prehistory, Porto Ceresio was a harbour for lake trades between Po Valley, North and Central Europe. The flat area, currently occupied by relatively recent buildings, was, until the Late Middle Ages, a swamp known as "Palude Ceresia".

Originally, the village consisted of two nuclei, separated from the axis of the current Garibaldi Road. The northern core was called "Del Pozzo" for the presence water tanks remains visible in the vicinity of the entry arch of the homonymous Court. The southern core, was instead called "Del Torchio", for the possible presence of wine presses, attached to water mills. The human presence in the Valley dates back to the Neolithic, remains of stilt houses have been found in the Cattafame locality of Arcisate, at a wetland.

During these prehistoric times (in North-Western Italy, from 5,800 to 3,600 BC), man, nomadic hunter and gatherer, became breeder and farmer. The greater control of natural resources allowed settlement and an increase in population with the simultaneous change of the social organization and the introduction of the concept of "property". In less than 2,000 years, man's life changed more significantly than during the 2 million years earlier: a radical change known as the "Neolithic Revolution" (3), (29).

Since the end of the fifth millennium, at the end of the third millennium BC (the period covering the Neolithic and Bronze Age), were erected simple and aligned Menhirs, Dolmens, and Cromlechs (i.e. megalithic enclosures). These structures, often close to engraved rocks, were considered contemporaneous to the nearby megaliths. The significance of this proximity could be explained as a sign of the presence of “the sacred".

The representations of animals, hunting scenes, and, above all, of "prayers", confirm this hypothesis. Cupels and channels may, instead, have been used as containers and liquid collectors (organic and/or meteoric) for ritual purposes (6), (7), (8), (9), (10). The "cruciforms" engraved on these stones would be, instead, signs of Christianization and, therefore, could be considered of less remote periods (11). This confirms an attendance of these sites in the Roman, Medieval, and perhaps more recently, also for other different (e.g. hunting, animal husbandry).

The dating of these artifacts is a difficult problem, as the petroglyphs are located in "open" places, easily editable by meteorological and human factors (30). Other similar structures in Europe, however, well known.

We recall, in fact, many studies that refer to the “sanctuary” of Panoias, Northern Portugal. Here, next to a large rock with tanks, canals and cups, steps carved into the rock, there is the following Latin inscription dating from the third century A.D. (12):
"HUIUS HOSTIAE QUAE CADUNT HIC IMM(ol)ANTUR EXTRA INTRA QUADRATA CONTRA CREMANTUR - SAN(gu)IS LAC(i)CULIS (iuxta) SUPERFU(ndi)TUR"
(Translated as follows: "Here the slaughtered victims are consecrated to the Gods: their entrails are burnt in the square ponds and their blood is diffused along the surrounding small ponds").
The large rocky outcrops of Alpine arch, with similar characteristics, could, at least for a time, have had analogue functions.

The fact, moreover, that the "altar-stones" are built on high places indicates, probably, the
desire to choose an appropriate site for visual inspection of the land below, also in relation to the sacredness of the hill stations and mountain tops typical of Celtic and/or proto-Celtic peoples (22), (23), (24), (25), (26).

Dolmens and Menhirs are not, therefore, foreign to the cultural sub-alpine regions, as was thought until a few decades ago. It was believed, in fact, that the megalithic culture stopped at the Alps. The only exception was the area of ​​Puglia (in Southern-East Italy), whose Dolmens, Menhirs and “Specchie” (i.e.: mound of stones) however, were attributed to the influence of people from the Balkan Peninsula, across the Adriatic, because in the rest of Mediterranean basin, megalithism is well represented. The work of Puglisi "La Civiltà Appenninica. Origine delle Comunità Pastorali in Italia" (27), published in 1959 and the discovery, in 1969, of the Neolithic necropolis of Saint-Martin-de-Corléans in Aosta, demonstrated the groundlessness of this thesis (1), (28).

It has thus been shown that the culture of megalithic construction penetrated into in North-Western Italy, presumably through the nearby Alpine passes of Simplon, Gotthard and San Bernardino and from Provence, with regard to the megaliths of Liguria and Maritime Alps.

As a result, other artifacts attributed to the recent peasant civilization, took on a different meaning and the lack of megaliths in Italy, differently from transalpine regions (especially North-Western Europe and islands), could be explained by the higher turnover of civilization during the time, that would radically transformed the appearance of the area, resulting in the loss of many of these artifacts (7), (8), (9), (10).

Starting from the 4th millennium BC, the man increased knowledge concerning the processing of ores. Following the development of metallurgy, the communities were organized into more complex structures. Hillforts, known, in Italy, by the name of Castellieri or Castellari, were built.

With Neolithic climate changes and the transition to more complex forms of social structures, separated ethnic identities born, linked to geographical areas. In North Western Italy, from Middle Bronze Age (1,600 BC) and the beginning of Iron Age (9th - 4th century BC), grew the so-called Golasecca Culture. This was one of the major civilizations of pre-Roman Italy: extended to an area between the Alpine watershed to North, the rivers Po to South, Sesia to the West and Serio to theEast.

This age takes its name from the village of Golasecca (Varese District, on the banks of Ticino river), where, in the early nineteenth century, abbot Giovanni Battista Giani carried out the first discovery, believing that findings were evidence of the battle that took place, during the second Punic War, between Hannibal and Scipio, thesis already previously supported by Carlo Amoretti, a learned traveller of the eighteenth century.

In 1865, Gabriel De Mortillet, finally, attributed these findings to an independent pre-Roman civilization (16). The Celts, probably at the origin of this culture, were peoples of Indo-European origin. Arrived in Europe in several waves from Central Asia, between 3,500 and 1,500 BC, through the Caucasus and the Middle East. The first signs of the Celtic culture development were, in fact, the area of ​​Golasecca in 12th -10th century BC, the mining area of ​​Hallstatt (Upper Austria), where they created a particular culture that grew up around 8th century BC, and the site of La Tène (Canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland), where reached the highest artistic, social and spiritual expressions in the sixth and fifth centuries BC (20).

Their culture and influences spread also through Austria and Switzerland into South-Eastern Germany, France, Belgium, Northern Italy, Central and Eastern Europe, Northern Spain, the Balkans, the British Isles, Ireland and Central Anatolian peninsula.

With regard to the Golasecca area, it can be assumed that the adopted social structure was hierarchically structured and that the population was divided into villages near found necropolises. Agriculture, weaving and farming that allowed to produce meat and cheese, were practiced. The wide circulation of Golasecca artifacts to North of Alps is closely related to the growth and trade increase of Padan Etruria. Golasecca settlements were of great strategic importance, as they were along routes that allow to reach the Alpine crossings of San Bernardino, Gotthard and Simplon.

Since the discovery of various ornaments can be deduced that the Golasecca traded with the Etruscans, Greeks, Central-Southern Italy and Mediterranean islands, also acting as intermediaries with the Northern Celtic settlements: Hallstatt and La Tène. The trade network included Cornwall, Brittany and Galicia, regions from which came the Tin, necessary together with Copper, for Bronze production. The Amber came from the Baltic regions (20).

Trade with Greece, Central-Southern Italy and islands in departure, in all probability, from the Greek colony of Massalia (now Marseille), crossing Finalese (5) and easier passes of the Ligurian Alps and the Apennines, is confirmed by the discovery of pottery vessels with black-figures, in Attical style, of the more recent Golasecchian graves (29).

The local clay artifacts were obtained through the use of the "primitive" lathe or shaped by hand (7), (15). Metal objects were instead made by casting or rolling from raw materials mined locally and/or imported ( 2), (13), (14). The decorations testify a clear Etruscan influence (18).

The most important centers of Golasecchian Val Ceresio were certainly Arcisate and Induno Olona, ​​points of arrival of communication routes from Verbano Lake and Porto Ceresio, along which passed the copper mined in Baveno and Maccagno, the Silver of nearby Mount Martica, Tin, Iron, Amber and Gold from Central and Northern Europe (19).

From the 5th - 4th century BC, the territory in question, was settled by a population, probably of Celtic origin also, of Insubres (18), (20). They maintained active the existing network trades, between Northern and Southern Europe.

The subsequent expansion of Rome, who acquired the Val Ceresio to the Cisalpine Gaul Province, focused, above all, over the Bevera Valley: Induno Olona, Arcisate, Cantello and Ligornetto.
The Celtic peoples who inhabited it became Roman citizens under Julius Caesar, in exchange for a period of military service, after which they were assigned to the Oufentine tribe, owners of their land.

In the Middle Ages, Val Ceresio, inserted in the Parish of Arcisate, part of “Contado del Seprio”, dressed, as always, an important strategic role as a communication to Northern Europe.

Description

The authors, starting from the place called “Poncia”, located in proximity to the State Border, were able to observe - above 3 terraces, supported by partially preserved stone walls, built with large juxtaposed stones, with spaces between them filled with smaller stones (photo 1) - a horizontal table (photo 2), resting on smaller stones, a oriented North-South Menhir (photo 3) and, in the immediate vicinity, on another terrace, about 3 meters upstream from the earlier findings, a dolmen-like artifact, whose chamber is facing to West (photo 4).

The GPS coordinates are: Altitude: 297 m asl; Lat.: 45.912231° N, Long.: 8.911815° E.
Going up the slope, 350 m asl, Lat.: 45.911997° N, Long.: 8.913948° E, after covering a stretch of flat trail, you will reach a natural terrace, consisting of porphyroid rocks, where you can enjoy a splendid view of the Swiss side of the lake, with Morcote and the Medieval Church of Santa Maria del Sasso, dating from the thirteenth century, remodelled in the Renaissance Era, overlooked by the Visconti Castle, built around 1450, on the site of an earlier Middle Age fortification (Photo 5).

Along a steep path the authors reached a massive erratic boulder (Altitude: 380 m asl; Lat.: 45.911462° N; Long.: 8.914205° E), possible shelter, perhaps acting as an altar-stone, whose major axis is on the East - West direction, with an opening facing to North (photo 6).

The surface of the rock formation is quite regular and rudimentary ducts are designed to convey fluids downstream (Photo 7).

A little further upstream, on another plateau (Altitude: 395 m asl; Lat.: 45.911104° N, Long.: 8.914183° E), there is a huge outcrop of porphyroid rocks (photo 8), with large cracks and falls of boulders, due to cryoclastic phenomena (21), (31) and anthropic use, as evidenced by the non-random arrangement of three large oriented East-West stones (9) and by the presence of petroglyphs (easily recognizable a quadruped) on a horizontal table nearby, pointing to West (photo 10).

Continuing along the plateau towards to South -West, can be reached in a short time an old muletrack that allows to reach the village of Cà del Monte (above Porto Ceresio) from the place of Posporto.
The trail is paved and, at times, bordered by stone walls layer (photo 11). This method invokes the "Megalithic Roads” also present in the Alps and in Liguria (on Mount Beigua, near Varazze and in proximity to Giogo di Rialto, in the Finalese Area) (11), (26).

Discussion

The described zone is little known from an archaeological point of view, although it is part of Golasecca Cultural Area. The artifacts are in a densely wooded environment (mainly chestnut trees and oaks), reached along ancient pathways, known by the Middle Age and used as ways of communication and exchange between the settlements adjacent to Porto Ceresio, but disused for a long time.

Leaching and landslides, as well as recent works of deforestation and maintenance of the land, have brought to light a number of stone walls of containment with large terraces.

The dating of these artifacts is not unique, but can be traced back to the Neolithic and the Bronze Age, presumably by pre - and/or protoceltic peoples. Further explorations may show other unknown artifacts to date.

The evaluation of the described sites with recent techniques such Ground Penetrating Radar, Electrical Resistivity Survey, or Differential Magnetometer (or Gradiometer), may identify additional artifacts buried with the opportunity to study them in greater depth, even before excavation.

Very promising results are also obtained with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging), which can provide data with the laser scanning of forested areas, from which you can digitally remove vegetation.

Recent studies, based on new methods of ICP/OES or AAS (Acronyms for Induced Coupled Plasma/Optical Emission Spectroscopy and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy) have shown that metallurgy was practiced already in the Middle Bronze Age (1600 - 1350 BC) and local mining was also well-known in adjacent sites of the Valley itself (13), (14), (15), (19), (20). Val Ceresio would, therefore, since the Bronze Age, have been party to exchange of metals between the Mediterranean, the Po Valley and Europe Transalpine (19).

Conclusions

From these partial and preliminary data, it is possible that findings are part of megalithic constructions complex, even archeoastronomically oriented, it is interesting that the slopes of Monte San Giorgio are already known for their Palaeontological significance. This mountain, whose peak is located in Swiss territory at 1097 m asl, could represent a sort of "sacred mountain” for prehistoric peoples (probably proto-golasecchians), which left evidences related to Neolithic and Bronze Ages: periods of megalith appearance.

This hypothesis could be further supported by desirable archaeometric and archaeometallurgical researches on materials from the site, with the help of the new microinvasive techniques of archaeological investigation which are now available.

Bibliography

1) Alessi C. (2009). “Sanremo (IM). Siti Archeologici a Monte Bignone”. Archeomedia -
Rivista di Archeologia On-line (settembre 2009). http://www.archeomedia.net/tutela-e-salvaguardia/36475-sanremo-im-siti-archeologici-a-monte-bignone.html
2) Amzallag, N. 2009. “From Metallurgy to Bronze Age Civilizations: The Synthetic Theory.” AJA 113: 497-519.
3) Bagolini B., Cremonesi G., Il processo di neolitizzazione in Italia, Atti XXVI Riunione Scientifica I.I.P.P. 1987, 21-30.
4) Beretta C., The names of Rivers, Mounts, Sites. Prehistoric linguistic Structures. Centro Camuno Studi Preistorici – Hoepli, 2002.
5) Bernabò Brea L., Gli scavi nella caverna delle Arene Candide, I, 1946-II, 1956.
6) Biagi P., Nisbet R., Popolazione e territorio in Liguria tra il XII e il IV millennio b.c., in AA.VV., Scritti in ricordo di Graziella Massari Gaballo e di Umberto Tocchetti Pollini, Milano 1986; 19-272
7) Capelli C., Cabella R., Del Lucchese A., Piazza M., Starnini E. Archaeometric analyses of Early and Middle Neolithic pottery from the Pian del Ciliegio rock shelter (Finale Ligure, NW Italy). ArchéoSciences.2008; 32: 115-124. http://archeosciences.revues.org/index1023.html
8) Codebò M. Archaeo-astronomical hypotheses on some ligurian engravings. Proceeding NEWS95 - INTERNATIONAL ROCK ART CONGRESS, North East West South 1995 - Turin, Italy, by Ce.S.M.A.P. & I.F.R.A.O., Survey supplement 1999, Pinerolo, Italy.
9) Codebò M. Prime Indagini Archeoastronomiche in Liguria, in Memorie della Società Astronomica Italiana - Journal of the Italian Astronomical Society. 1997; 63 (3).
10) Codebò M. I menhir di Torre Bastia. Notiziario C.A.I., Sezione Ligure, Sottosez. Bolzaneto. 1993; 11: 30-31.
11) Codebò M. I Primi Passi di un Archeostronomo. Bollettino dell'Osservatorio Astronomico di Genova. 1994; 66:12-20.
12) Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum (C.I.L.II, 2395).
13) Delfino, D. 2008. Some Aspects of Prehistoric and Protohistoric Metallurgy in Liguria
(North-West Italy). In: Geoarchaeology and Archaeomineralogy (Eds. R. I. Kostov, B. Gaydarska, M. Gurova). 2008. Proceedings of the International Conference, 29-30 October 2008, Sofia, Publishing House “St. Ivan Rilski”, Sofia, 232-238).
14) Del Lucchese, A., D. Delfino, 2008. “Metallurgia protostorica in Val Bormida.” In: Del Lucchese, A., Gambaro, L. (Eds.) 2008 Archeologia in Liguria, n.s., I, 2004-2005, Editore De Ferrari, Genova, 35-47.
15) Del Lucchese, A. 2009. “Il Riparo di Pian del Ciliegio”. Quaderni del Museo Archeologico del Finale.
16) De Mortillet, G. Sépultures anciennes du Plateau de Somma (Lombardie), in Revue archéologique, 1865, pp. 453-468; 1866, pp. 50-58.
17) De Marinis, R.C. Le tombe di guerriero di Sesto Calende e le spade e i pugnali hallstattiani scoperti nell’Italia nord-occidentale, in Archaeologica. Scritti in onore di A. Neppi Modona, Firenze 1975, pp. 213-269.
18) De Marinis, R.C. Liguri e Celto-Liguri, in Italia omnium terrarum alumna, a c. di G. Pugliese Carratelli, Collana Antica Madre, Milano 1988, pp. 157-259
19) De Marinis, R.C. I Celti golasecchiani, in I Celti, catalogo della mostra di palazzo Grassi a Venezia, Milano 1991, pp. 93-102.
20) Kruta, V., I Celti e il Mediterraneo. Jaca Book, 2004
21) Matsuoka N., Murton J. Frost Weathering: Recent Advances and Future Directions. Permafrost
and Periglac. Process. 19: 195–210 (2008).
22) Pirondini A. Osservazioni su un sito di interesse archeologico nei pressi del Castelliere delle Anime (Rocca di Perti - Finale Ligure). TRACCE - Online Rock Art Bulletin 2010;
http://www.rupestre.net/tracce_php/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=43
23) Pirondini A. Castelliere of Verezzi - Hillfort in Italy in Liguria. The Megalithic Portal. Andy Burnham Editor. 2010; http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=26775&mode=thread&order=0
24) Pirondini A. Site near Finale Ligure. The Megalithic Portal. Andy Burnham Editor. 2010; http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=26588
25) Pirondini A. Struttura megalitica soprastante l'Arma Strapatente (Orco-Feglino, Finalese, Liguria). Archeomedia - Rivista di Archeologia On-line. 2010;
http://www.archeomedia.net/studi-e-ricerche/36951-alfredo-pirondini-struttura-megalitica-soprastante-larma-strapatente-orco-feglino-finalese-.html
26) Pirondini, A., Bocca, G.P. Megalithism and new research perspectives on argentiferous galena mines of Bric Gettina (Rialto, near Finale Ligure – Western Liguria). Archaeological Institute of America - Fieldnotes: Short Articles and Field Reports. November 7, 2012. http://www.archaeological.org/fieldnotes/reports/10817
27) Puglisi S. M., La civiltà appenninica. Origine delle comunità pastorali in Italia. Ed. Sansoni,
Firenze, 1959.
28) Schipani De Pasquale R., Riccobono F. Originale utilizzo di materiali "da spetramento" in area suburbana. In: Colloquio Int.le Archeologia ed Astronomia di AA.VV., R.d.A., 1991; supplem. n. 9. Roma.
29) Tinè S., Il Neolitico e l'età del Bronzo in Liguria alla luce delle recenti scoperte, Atti XVI Riunione Scientifica I.I.P.P., 1974: 37-54
30) Tizzoni M. Incisioni all'aperto nel Finalese, Liguria. Bollettino del Centro Camuno Studi Preistorici.1975; 12, Capodiponte (Brescia).
31) Walder J.S., Hallet B. The Physical Basis of Frost Weathering: Toward a More Fundamental
and Unified Perspective. Arctic and Alpine Research, (18), 1, 27-32 (1986).

Dedicated by Alfredo Pirondini, Filippo and Cecilia Pirondini to our dear father / grandfather Giorgio Pirondini who helped us experience the beauty of Ceresio.

© Alfredo Pirondini - January 29, 2013

Editor's note: We have designated this site Natural Stone / Erratic / Other Natural Feature because there are a multitude of different possible site types identified in this paper but as yet unproven.

Note: The discovery of possible megalithic sites in the Ceresio Valley
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The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 6 - Massive erratic boulder, possible shelter and/or altar stone (Vote or comment on this photo)

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 4 - A Dolmen-like artifact, with chamber facing to West. (Vote or comment on this photo)

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 19: The surface of horizontal Stone Table, resting on snaller stones. (Vote or comment on this photo)

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 11 - Megalithic Road. (Vote or comment on this photo)

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 10 - Stone table, pointing to West, with petroglyphs (a quadruped recognizable). (Vote or comment on this photo)

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 9 - Three East-West oriented stones.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 8 - Huge outcrop of porphyroid rocks with cracks and falls of boulders of possible anthropic use.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 5 - View of Morcote with St. Maria del Sasso Church and Viscont Castle.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 3 - A Norh-South oriented Menhir.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 2 - A Horizontal Stone Table, resting on snaller stones.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 20: The horizontal Stone Table, resting on smaller stones.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 18: Oriented Menhir

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 17: Oriented Menhir

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 16: Oriented Menhir

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 15: Oriented Menhir

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 14: Oriented Menhir

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 13: Stone Wall

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 12: Stone Wall

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 7 - Surface of Shelter/Altar Stone with rudimentary ducts.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 21 The Ceresio Valley Another menhir placed 10 meters further south than the previous one.

The Ceresio Valley
The Ceresio Valley submitted by mpwpir : Photo 22 The Ceresio Valley A smooth boulder, with tip pointing north

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"The Ceresio Valley" | Login/Create an Account | 8 News and Comments
  
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Re: The Ceresio Valley by wolfgangschreiber on Thursday, 21 March 2013
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This site acquires more and more the characteristics of an astronomically oriented megalithic complex . The presence of multiple oriented menhirs and boulders, also of natural origin, is extremely suggestive of this hypothesis.
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Re: Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley by mpwpir on Saturday, 16 March 2013
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During a further inspection on the site in question (March 16, 2013), stimulated by the contributions of Wolfgang Schreiber, after a further cleaning of the woods, I could see the presence of another oriented east-west menhir (Photo 21 ), previously hidden by vegetation and a smooth boulder, with tip pointing north (Photo 22). Throughout the area are smooth rocky outcrops. All of these could be, along with the previously described menhir and dolmen, a megalithic complex of archaeoastronomical interest .
Agree with Wolfgang Schreiber, the findings could be conected with the nearby Neolithic hill settlement of Tremona (TI, Switzerland), also on the slopes of San Giorgio Mountain.
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    Re: Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley by wolfgangschreiber on Thursday, 21 March 2013
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    This site acquires more and more the characteristics of an astronomically oriented megalithic complex . The presence of multiple oriented menhirs and boulders, also of natural origin, is extremely suggestive of this hypothesis.
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Re: Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley by Andy B on Saturday, 02 March 2013
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Thanks again for the paper Alfredo and for the positive feedback Wolfgang, this is very useful. (I temporarily lost the connection to the photos when I renamed the page, this is now fixed and the photos are all back on the page.)

Just a comment on terminology - I consulted SolarMegalith on the term "megalithism" - it seems to be a continental European term as it is not used at all in the UK.

In his view (I quote) is it is a rather old and outdated term now, some scholars saw megaliths as a unified phenomenon. For example Zygmunt Krzak, the author of "Megality Europy" ("Megaliths of Europe", 1994) which remains the only general synthesis of European megaliths on that scale, writes about "megalithic people" and treats them as a separate group. Of course, now with the datings of megalithis tombs from Sahara and Portugal we know that the megalithic architecture spread from more then one source and it is not possible to define "megalithism" as a single phenomenon, but still some people use the odd term "megalithic culture".

Thanks for that SolarM
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    Re: Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley by mpwpir on Sunday, 10 March 2013
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    Thank you for the specification on terminology. I will use your advice.
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Re: Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley by mpwpir on Monday, 04 February 2013
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Dear Sirs, I am honored by your comments. I have included some more photos in order to clarify the described aspects in the work on Megalithism in Val Ceresio, done with my esteemed colleagues.
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Re: Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley by wolfgangschreiber on Monday, 04 February 2013
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I visited the site on February 02, 2013. Except for porphyroid outcrops, there is no doubt, for my experience, that findings described are not casual. There is a precise orientation. Petroglyphs are evident. I think that these sites of Val Ceresio were freqented, presumably, from Neolithic. Further studies are desirable. The findings could also be described in connection with the nearby Neolithic hill settlement of Tremona (TI, Switzerland), also on the slopes of Monte San Giorgio.
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    Re: Megalithism in the Ceresio Valley by cesarinavilla on Monday, 04 February 2013
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    The majesty of the outcrops of porfiroidi could not pass unnoticed the man of the Neolithic
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