This book brings together the scientific contributions of a wide panel
of Sicilian and mainland Italian specialists in prehistory. Taking
inspiration from a conference organised by the Soprintendenza ai Beni
Culturali e Ambientali of Agrigento and by the municipal council of
Sciacca in November 2011, the decision was taken to broaden and deepen
some of the main themes discussed on that occasion. Therefore this book
focuses on the Sciacca region and its landscape which is extraordinarily
rich in natural geological phenomena and associated archaeological
activity, for example the Grotta del Kronio and the numerous dolmens
present nearby. This volume seeks to explore the various aspects -
habitational or ritual - of the prehistoric use of the numerous caves
present in the region and to analyse the many features of the island's
megalithic architecture. The text includes an historical review of the
processes of discovery of the archaeological evidence, also an account
of the current research projects and research activities.