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The Nebrodi mountains run along the central-northern part of
Sicily. It is an area characterised by high ground that rises
abruptly from the Tyrrhenian coast, separated by narrow valleys
crossed by creeks and a few flat areas. Human presence there is
very old due to the abundance of natural resources (water, wood,
fertile land) and a favourable climate. In classical times, many
cities prospered here, usually on well-defended hilltops; the
archaic indigenous settlements encountered Greek culture from the
6th century BC, but they can be defined as totally Hellenized only
after the middle of the 4th century BC. The phase of greatest
prosperity was the Hellenistic age, especially following the Roman
conquest of Sicily. Important centres were, among others, Tyndaris,
Halaesa, Kale Akte and Herbita. Their wealth derived from the great
availability of natural resources and from direct or indirect trade
with the rest of the island, the Italian peninsula and other areas
of the Mediterranean, especially those overlooking the sea. The
birth of many of these settlements often dates back to prehistory
and the existence of some of them has continued until today. The
physical characteristics of this mountainous part of Sicily, along
with its remoteness from the main cities of antiquity, affected the
forms of human occupation and the growth of an autonomous culture.
The Nebrodi have long remained archeologically unexplored: research
and excavations were few and concentrated mainly on certain sites
(particularly Tyndaris and Halaesa). Therefore, the history of
these districts is still almost unknown. This volume presents the
author’s many years of research, hoping to increase the knowledge
of many aspects of this part of the island: the meeting between
indigenous and Greek cultures, their coexistence, the types of
settlement and the organization of cities, the trade and the local
productions.
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