Necropolis of Pantalica
The Necropolis of Pantalica is one of the great necropolis of Sicily and includes more than 5000 tombs.
2005, UNESCO declared the Necropolis of Pantalica together with Syracuse World Heritage on the ground
Location
The Necropolis of Pantalica in the Iblei between the towns of Ferla and Sortino. The distance from Syracuse is about 35 km. Visits are possible by Ferla and Sortino from. At the entrance there is only little parking. By public transport, the necropolis is difficult to achieve. There several daily buses from Syracuse to the two input places.
History
In the Middle Ages the high plateau between the rivers Anapo and Calcinara as Pantegra, Pantarga, Buntariga or Panterica was called.
The size of the cemetery suggests a large-scale colonization. The necropolis was used from the 13th century BC to the 8th century BC. The Associated settlement must have been a significant retreat for the Sicani. This gave in the 13th century BC, many settlements on the east coast and retreated to inaccessible regions in the interior back. Reason was new immigrant population from the Italian mainland, where it must have been the often mentioned in ancient sources Siculi. From the 8th century BC Sicily was colonized by the Greeks, and thus began the decline of the city. Occupied the place was to the Arab period, but the place had no meaning. From the town there is nothing left except the remains of a building, the Royal Palace or Palazzo del Anaktoron.
The oldest tombs date from around 1270 BC, the latest v. around the 8th century BC. In early Christian times one has the tombs partly used as a dwelling and converted into chapels.
Construction
In the context of the royal palace of Siculi are the grave chambers. The Royal Palace or Anaktoron has been built around 1100 BC. It is the only building that was excavated by the City of Siculi.
Finds
The finds are grave goods such as ceramics, weapons and items from the budget of the inhabitants of the city. They are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse.