1. PREHISTORIC ITINERARY

Archaeological digs in the center of eastern Sicily have brought to light a considerable number of prehistoric sites dating from the Mesolithic to the Iron Age (15,000-800 B.C.). All the material that has been found is currently preserved in the "P. Orsi" Museum in Siracusa, considered one of Italy's most important archaeological museums.
 

STENTINELLO

This Neolithic Age (5000-3000 B.C.) site gives its name to the most ancient agricultural tradition in Sicily. Today completely destroyed. (Presently not open to the public.)
 

THAPSOS

(1500-800 B.C.) Village and necropolis of the second Bronze Age. An important center for commercial exchange between East and West. In the last twenty years the West's first town plan has been unearthed, dating back to 1300 B.C. (Presently not open to the public.)
 

PANTALICA

Important indigenous town (third Bronze Age) with grandiose rock-necropoli from 1300-700 B.C. Located between the valleys of the Anapo and Calcinara rivers, it presents more than 5000 tombs in the form of small caves. Among the remaining dwellings, of particular archaeological interest is the Anaktoron or Prince's Palace.
 

CASTELLUCCIO

This settlement (1800-1500 B.C.) gives its name to a type of culture characteristic of southeast Sicily. Its quarries contain around teo hundred furnace shaped tomb-chambers. The culture of the period is Maltese.
 

NOTO ANTICA (NETUM)

Once rising on the Alveria hillside, it had been inhabited since prehistoric times. The earthquake of 1693 totally razed it to the ground.
 

CAVA D'ISPICA

Rupestrian settlement already inhabited in the Aeneolithic period. It may be reached from Ispica or from Modica, in the province of Ragusa.
 

GROTTA CORRUGGI AND GROTTA CALAFARINA

With Mesolithic and Neolithic materials. The sites are abandoned and inaccessible.
 

CASSIBILE

Siculian rock-necropoli (1000-900 B.C.). Located along the last stretch of the Cassibile river, overlooking the present-day village, it is rather difficult to reach.