THE PREHISTORIC VILLAGES OF THE AEOLIAN ARCHIPELAGO AND MILAZZO: ASTRONOMY AND LANDSCAPE, PRELIMINARY RESULT

Abstract

The archipelago of the Aeolian Islands is located in the Tyrrhenian Sea, to North of the Sicilian coast. Since

2000 the Aeolian Islands are an UNESCO World Heritage Site. The human presence in the archipelago is

attested since very ancient times (Bernabò Brea, 1958). The prehistoric people were in fact attracted by the

presence of large quantities of obsidian, glassy substance of volcanic origin through which the Aeolian

Islands were the center of flourishing trade routes (Tusa, 1999).

In this paper we analyze the positioning of the prehistoric villages of the Eolian Islands taking into account

archaeoastronomy and the aspects of landscape archeology. In particular, the study is aimed at

understanding if in the choice of the site used for the construction of the various villages, the profile of

eastern or western horizons may have played a determining role or not. Here we present preliminary results

of the study made with the satellite data (Google Earth) and data measured by the first measurement

campaigns in the field (april 2017). The in situ measurement campaign will be completed in autumn 2018.