Rock-Cut Tombs of Butte Easton Tall
Early Bronze Age (3300–2100 BCE)·Early Bronze Age·🇮🇹 Sicily, Italy
About
About Rock-Cut Tombs of Butte Easton Tall
Rock-Cut Tombs of Butte Easton Tall in Sicily, Italy is a Early Bronze Age (3300–2100 BCE) rock_cut attributed to Early Bronze Age culture. Systematically investigated through systematic survey and test trenching, it presents a fortified nucleus with ancillary settlement. Construction employs mudbrick on stone socle and demonstrates craft specialization. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Early Bronze Age rock_cut with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function as ceremonial vs domestic centre
- 02Chronology and phasing of monuments
Theories
- 01Centralized storage and redistribution (Cunliffe)
- 02Defensive refuge and tribal capital
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2979 BCE
- Period
- Early Bronze Age (3300–2100 BCE)
- Culture
- Early Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Necropolis and ritual
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2979 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 2179 BCE
Major expansion and monumental elaboration
c. 777 BCE
Rebuilding and fortification phase
1986
Modern archaeological excavation and survey
On the ground
Structures & features
36.0827° N · 13.9283° E · 1058 m · 4 mapped features
Necropolis Extension
gatewayAncillary settlement associated with main monument
36.0836° N · 13.9265° EShrine
courtyardAncillary workshop associated with main monument
36.0855° N · 13.9259° EReservoir/Cistern
reservoirBurial zone — cists
36.0852° N · 13.9279° EBurial Cluster
alignmentBurial zone — shaft tombs
36.0843° N · 13.9282° E