The Cave of the Force, the Plateau Manie (Savona)
open letter to the Editor of the Secolo XIX
sent on 10/05/2010
sent on 10/05/2010
Dear Sir,
I am writing to report to you and to all the Ligurian, together with the institutions, the emergency situation in which there is a site of fundamental historical and cultural interest for our region. Why
one of the treasures of Liguria is in danger. A
site of enormous interest from the standpoint of natural-geologic, scenic, archaeological and material culture, which should be preserved and made it easier for public use, alleges in a serious state of neglect and decay. It is not an unfamiliar place, lost in the woods and difficult to reach, but the note Cave of the Force, on the plateau of Manias, the hinterland of Finale (SV).
This is a large shelter of limestone and tuff, located about 250 meters above sea level and surrounded by lush vegetation. The cave, until the '50s that was used by local farmers as shelter for sheep and goats, has been the subject of study and excavation since 1964 under the direction of the Archaeological Superintendence of Liguria. Were found fragments of stone tools and traces of hearths, as well as animal bone fragments, in layers dating from the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, suggesting that the weapon was only used as temporary shelter, probably due to the migration of herds. All
finds unearthed were placed in caskets of the Archaeological Museum of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini in Genoa, or in the Archaeological Museum of Finale, Finale Ligure, and the excavation of the Superintendent are still open .
I am writing to report to you and to all the Ligurian, together with the institutions, the emergency situation in which there is a site of fundamental historical and cultural interest for our region. Why
one of the treasures of Liguria is in danger. A
site of enormous interest from the standpoint of natural-geologic, scenic, archaeological and material culture, which should be preserved and made it easier for public use, alleges in a serious state of neglect and decay. It is not an unfamiliar place, lost in the woods and difficult to reach, but the note Cave of the Force, on the plateau of Manias, the hinterland of Finale (SV).
This is a large shelter of limestone and tuff, located about 250 meters above sea level and surrounded by lush vegetation. The cave, until the '50s that was used by local farmers as shelter for sheep and goats, has been the subject of study and excavation since 1964 under the direction of the Archaeological Superintendence of Liguria. Were found fragments of stone tools and traces of hearths, as well as animal bone fragments, in layers dating from the Middle and Upper Paleolithic, suggesting that the weapon was only used as temporary shelter, probably due to the migration of herds. All
finds unearthed were placed in caskets of the Archaeological Museum of Villa Durazzo Pallavicini in Genoa, or in the Archaeological Museum of Finale, Finale Ligure, and the excavation of the Superintendent are still open .
The Cave of the Force, however, is not only home to the area of \u200b\u200barchaeological excavation, but also some interesting findings from the material culture of the area. There are in fact three mills to blood for the processing of olives, wonderfully made of local stone, complete with grinders and presses, most probably dating to the nineteenth century (one within the one room of the cave). Also you can see the stone walls made of tufa stone, complete with a popular but valuable portals bill, intended to demarcate the various premises for the production of oil and subsequently used for housing sheep and goats. Finds smaller but equally fascinating are some wooden wagons, probably used for the transport of olives and olive oil and a wooden structure that will do the shoeing of horses or donkeys that had to pull them.
Unfortunately, at present, all the structures and artifacts found in the cave are in bad condition, potentially critical, because of total neglect which exposes them to action of weather and vandalism. The three mills, although complete, are all broken or dismantled and the pieces scattered everywhere, some even re-used on site as construction material, of the three or four presses that should exist a time, only one survives intact, while the other remains the basis of stone, broken or uprooted, and some wooden parts, throw in some corner or re-used, the dry stone walls are partially collapsed or unsafe and the portals are not made safe Indeed, one of which is propped up on one side with wooden poles belonging to one of three mills, electrical wires hanging from everywhere, even from the striking natural opening that is at the center of the vault of the Force, some outlets " sealed "with a simple tape lying dangerously microcars in caves where water drips, the short access ramp to the only room of the cave has been reworked in a bad way, using materials and techniques appropriate to the absolutely non-historical and natural, while the chamber is completely devoid of light, while being open and accessible, and the mill that is inside is ruined and full of waste paper and plastic and, lastly, the metal fence that protects the archaeological dig is ugly, old, and has been chosen and installed with little criteria respectful of the environment. Not to mention that currently do not need anything anyway, because the wall was breached below so wide as to permit the passage of an adult.
To all this we must add the total lack information panels on site and complete absence of even the most dedicated road signs! And remember that the automobile accessibility is excellent, with a large and healthy way to detour, about 2 km from the cave, where the paved surface shrinks a bit 'and becomes slightly uneven in some places. Yet neither in Finale, or to Noli or neighboring countries is a sign that signals the Cave action!
Unfortunately, at present, all the structures and artifacts found in the cave are in bad condition, potentially critical, because of total neglect which exposes them to action of weather and vandalism. The three mills, although complete, are all broken or dismantled and the pieces scattered everywhere, some even re-used on site as construction material, of the three or four presses that should exist a time, only one survives intact, while the other remains the basis of stone, broken or uprooted, and some wooden parts, throw in some corner or re-used, the dry stone walls are partially collapsed or unsafe and the portals are not made safe Indeed, one of which is propped up on one side with wooden poles belonging to one of three mills, electrical wires hanging from everywhere, even from the striking natural opening that is at the center of the vault of the Force, some outlets " sealed "with a simple tape lying dangerously microcars in caves where water drips, the short access ramp to the only room of the cave has been reworked in a bad way, using materials and techniques appropriate to the absolutely non-historical and natural, while the chamber is completely devoid of light, while being open and accessible, and the mill that is inside is ruined and full of waste paper and plastic and, lastly, the metal fence that protects the archaeological dig is ugly, old, and has been chosen and installed with little criteria respectful of the environment. Not to mention that currently do not need anything anyway, because the wall was breached below so wide as to permit the passage of an adult.
To all this we must add the total lack information panels on site and complete absence of even the most dedicated road signs! And remember that the automobile accessibility is excellent, with a large and healthy way to detour, about 2 km from the cave, where the paved surface shrinks a bit 'and becomes slightly uneven in some places. Yet neither in Finale, or to Noli or neighboring countries is a sign that signals the Cave action!
If there will be timely redevelopment, although minimal, the damage could become irreversible and thus prevent the local population and tourists to enjoy a unique appeal, which perfectly combined nature and human labor.
If the municipalities and local authorities can not afford to draw on its resources for the redevelopment of the Cave of the Force, you must create an association in the consortium combination of public-private collect necessary funds. Also, can and should be requested funding (including grants) to the European Community, whose interest is, among others, to protect and enhance the cultural heritage of the Member States.
A Consortium for the Redevelopment and maintenance of the Carabinieri Cave "could simply be made by the municipality of Finale Ligure, in the mountain community which is responsible for the area concerned, the Province of Savona, Region Liguria, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage of Liguria and all those people , physical or legal, who would like to contribute to the fundraiser. You should first consult the tourist offices and local businesses operating in this sector, together with the banks to and all associations or companies that target the promotion and safeguarding of cultural heritage, natural and historical and artistic.
If the municipalities and local authorities can not afford to draw on its resources for the redevelopment of the Cave of the Force, you must create an association in the consortium combination of public-private collect necessary funds. Also, can and should be requested funding (including grants) to the European Community, whose interest is, among others, to protect and enhance the cultural heritage of the Member States.
A Consortium for the Redevelopment and maintenance of the Carabinieri Cave "could simply be made by the municipality of Finale Ligure, in the mountain community which is responsible for the area concerned, the Province of Savona, Region Liguria, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage of Liguria and all those people , physical or legal, who would like to contribute to the fundraiser. You should first consult the tourist offices and local businesses operating in this sector, together with the banks to and all associations or companies that target the promotion and safeguarding of cultural heritage, natural and historical and artistic.
A comprehensive redevelopment plan could be summarized as follows:
- Accommodation and securing of the building works
- in securing natural openings through special railings
- creating a safe and adequate lighting
- removing and / or replacement of unsightly materials and / or potentially harmful
- recovery and appreciation of works relating to material culture
- creating and installing educational panels and possible urban
- restore road signs dedicated
- Accommodation and securing of the building works
- in securing natural openings through special railings
- creating a safe and adequate lighting
- removing and / or replacement of unsightly materials and / or potentially harmful
- recovery and appreciation of works relating to material culture
- creating and installing educational panels and possible urban
- restore road signs dedicated
spending probably necessary for the implementation of such operations can not be considered excessive, taking into account the economic return given by tourists that the should re-draw.
course, there would be the minimum cost of maintenance and control, which could still be cleared if it resorted to the work free of one or more of the many voluntary associations, whose zealous commitment to social pride in our region.
What however can not be absent from the institutions and the genuine interest that the situation of neglect and degradation of the Cave dell'Arma be resolved as soon as possible and, therefore, that the site back to be fully operational by the public and enjoyable in all its many and important ways.
course, there would be the minimum cost of maintenance and control, which could still be cleared if it resorted to the work free of one or more of the many voluntary associations, whose zealous commitment to social pride in our region.
What however can not be absent from the institutions and the genuine interest that the situation of neglect and degradation of the Cave dell'Arma be resolved as soon as possible and, therefore, that the site back to be fully operational by the public and enjoyable in all its many and important ways.
Thanking you for your time and hoping that this open letter is published, even partially, in the newspaper that she directs, I extend my best regards.
Jonathan Ferroni (info@lcsscl.it)
Free Study Centre and Discovery Civilization Ligure
Free Study Centre and Discovery Civilization Ligure
PS This was sent, for information, including the City of Finale Ligure, in the Province of Savona and the Liguria Region, as well as the mountain community west of Savona and the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage Liguria.
Note: as of today, October 10, 2010, none of the agencies contacted had the courtesy to respond, even in a formal way.
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| Cave dell'Arma |
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| Inside View |
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| Frantoio destroyed and broken wall |
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| Frantoio in serious degradation |
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| The area of archaeological excavation |
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| An old wagon and the ugly fence |
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| Degradation internal |
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