THE ASTRONOMICALLY ORIENTED MEGALITHS OF THE MONTE JATO AREA (SICILY): THE “CAMPANARU” , THE “PERCIATA” AND THE ENEOLITHIC/EARLY BRONZE AGE WORSHIP SITE OF PIZZO PIETRALUNGA

Abstract

An imposing megalith is visible from many kilometres of distance near the top of the hill named Monte Arcivocalotto (Sicily). It is made by a single sandstone slab, shaped in triangular form with a large circular hole pierced at the centre. It is known to local people as U Campanaru (“The Bell Tower”) and it was considered as a magic place until recently. The megalith is oriented toward the sunrise of the winter solstice, when the Sun rises at the hole centre, becoming visible from a very large distance. At a few kilometres, on the top of another hill, significantly named “Cozzo Perciata” (“Hill of the pierced one”) a similar megalith was standing until to a few decades ago. It is presently collapsed, probably by a lighting, but the remains clearly show that it is oriented toward the summer solstice sunrise. Both megaliths have to be considered in the framework of the Eneolithic / Early Bronze Age worship centre of Pizzo Pietralunga, located halfway between Monte Arcivocalotto and Cozzo Perciata.