Lessinia dates back to Prehistoric times!
Lessinia in prehistoric times was seen as an ideal territory for hunter-gatherer groups as they could find an abundance and vast variety of species for hunting and vegetation from which to harvest as well as an abundance of flint rock, raw material which could be carved and used to create tools and primordial weapons.
Lessinia in prehistoric times was seen as an ideal territory for hunter-gatherer groups as they could find an abundance and vast variety of species for hunting and vegetation from which to harvest as well as an abundance of flint rock, raw material that could be carved and used to create tools and primordial weapons. Archeological evidence, dating back to the the Lower Paleolithic age (700.000 – 130.000) ,was found in some foothill sites, such as a flint hand axe found at Ca Palui in the Veronese hills. Even more interesting are the many shelters, grottos and caves found along the slopes of the Central Western Lessinias Valleys. These are some cases were used first by Neanderthal men ( Middle Paleolithic 300.00- 40.000) and then by groups of modern humans (Homo Sapiens). The evidence found in the famous Fumane Cave and Riparo Tagliente (Grezzana) sites allow us to have an even more detailed reconstruction of the everyday life of these two human species and of the places that they spent time in. The painted rocks found in the Fumane Cave are of particular significance being that these artifacts date back to the first phase of the Upper Paleolithic age, amongst which there is the famous Shaman, a piece of worked stone painted with red ochre portraying a man with a two horned hat.
Lessinia, even if in alternating phases due to climatic change, saw a progressive intensification of temporary and then permanent settlements, which then developed into the first established villages in which the community alternated between hunting, the first rudimental attempts at agriculture and livestock farming. Archeological Evidence attributed to ancient Neolithic villages was found in Lugo di Grezzana, Scalucce (Fumane) and Colombare di Negrar.
The use of these locations continued for thousands of years until the occurrence of metals, which radically changed human communities' customs and habits. During this period of colonization, in the hill and mountain territories, increased progressively, in particular on the high grounds along eroded ridges overlooking the plains. These settlements, which gradually developed more and more into fortified communities and were known to, with the toponym, Castellieri, allowed for more efficient control of the surrounding areas and for better defense. One of the most well known of these Castellieri is the Castelliere delle Guaite, located just south of Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo.
During the Iron Age modernized methods of building were developed, with a considerable increase in the usage of stone slabs that were found on site. Of particular importance were the Monte Loffa above Sant'Anna d'Alfaedo, the Castel Sottosengia near Breonio (Fumane) and the Purga di Velo settlements.
Lastly the progressive Romanization of the territory left numerous traces along the Prealps Lessinian spurs, in particular in the extreme south-eastern areas (San Giorgio in Valpolicella) and largely in the valley foothills.
(Archivio Parco Naturale Regionale della Lessinia)
