The Prehistoric Village

The fortified Bronze Age village of Faraglioni, discovered in 1970 by Giovanni Mannino, is located on the northern edge of the Tramontana coast, facing the Colombaia sea stack. It covers an area of approximately 7,000 square meters, though it is believed to have been even larger, as traces of huts were also found on the sea stack itself. The sudden abandonment of the village by its inhabitants was likely caused by the collapse of part of the coastline, which explains the wealth of artifacts uncovered and makes it one of the most significant Middle Bronze Age monuments in the Mediterranean. Access to the village from the sea was blocked by the high cliffs on the inland side, while it was protected by a tall defensive wall.

The excavations, conducted between 1974 and 2008, revealed numerous huts, both circular and square, some featuring open courtyards and storage areas, arranged along a well-planned road system. The artifacts recovered during the digs are displayed in two pavilions of the “P. Carmelo Seminara da Ganci” Municipal Archaeological Museum, where the most significant finds from the excavations are showcased.