Lucca, Jan. 31 (LaPresse) – The first archaeological site dating back to the Middle Paleolithic in the entire Apuan-Versilia area has been discovered in Valdicastello Carducci.
The announcement was made by the ArcheoVersilia association, which, along with the Pietrasanta municipal official for local districts, Ermanno Sorbo, and the president of the Valdicastello Committee, Lauro Bonuccelli, recently took part in an on-site inspection along the trail leading from the Pieve to Sant’Anna di Stazzema. The survey was conducted by a technical team of archaeologists, paleontologists, and researchers led by Soprintendenza officials Giulia Picchi and Marta Colombo.
"A site of great scientific interest has been identified," explained representatives of ArcheoVersilia, "due to the presence of stone tools belonging to Neanderthal humans. The materials found are embedded in a deposit of ossiferous breccia, a conglomerate of fossilized bones that, based on preliminary analysis, contains remains of deer, rhinoceros, and hippopotamus, dating the general context of the cave to around 130,000 years ago."
"This is an extraordinary discovery," emphasized Sorbo, "which could establish Valdicastello as a center for education, archaeological research, and also as a tourist site that enhances cultural heritage. It aligns perfectly with the museum we aim to create at the former Edem mines site, once the cleanup and safety measures—funded by PNRR resources—are completed."
The ArcheoVersilia association, led by President Deborah Giannessi, has been operating for two years under the patronage of the Municipality of Pietrasanta. With ministerial authorization and in collaboration with the Soprintendenza, they are conducting a survey project in the Valdicastello and Cardoso areas to identify sites of archaeological interest.