GROUND FLOOR
The city of Pontremoli is found in the very tip of Tuscany, at the foot of the Appenines, strategically placed along the Francigena road. Cited as the 31st stop in the “itinery” of the archbishop Sigerico, it was a free city from the XII to the XIII century and was defined as the “key and door to Tuscany” by Feredico II. Since 1975, the Piagnaro Castle has been host to the Museum of the Stele Staues of Lunigiana dedicated to Augusto Cesare Ambrosi. The Stele Statues are enigmatic stone sculptures dated between 4 and 1 thousand a.d. and represent the most important collection of sculpture from prehistoric Europe. The sandstone sculptures are characterized by their head in the shape of the italian policeman’s hat and face in the form of a “U”. They demonstrate human figures, both male and female, accompanied by a complex exhibition of arms and ornaments typical of the Copper Age and Iron Age. The statues are classified in three typological groups (A, B and C) and are exhibited in darkened rooms, lit by spotlights which illumine the anatomical traits and details, creating a compelling atmosphere. The Piagnaro Castle was built in the X Century to monitor the street systems and to protect the citizens of Pontremoli and is probably the first and original structure of the town . The name “Piagnaro” derives from “piagne”, being the sandstone slabs used to tile the roofs. The complex achitecture of the Castle is the result of numerous reconstructions and enlargements and is characterized by the imposing tower (from the XV Century). The tower, situated at the the highest point of the Castle, dominates the entire fortification and evidence of the antique draw-bridge elevated nine metres from the ground can still be seen. In front of the tower emerges an imposing structure, which was used as barracks for the soldiers but is now converted into an hostel for pilgrims who travel along the Francigena road. The remaining parts of the Castle are characterized by defensive structures from the XVII and XVIII centuries, and were equipped with fire arms and artillery. There is a large courtyard encircled by strong walls with ajoining ramps and sentry boxes. The Castle, from its elevated location, dominates the medieval part of the city. Developed between two rivers on a solitary line from Porta Parma and Porta Fiorentina, it was constructed to welcome merchants and pilgrims and was equipped with formidible defensive structures.
Casola (n.38)
Undamaged male stele statue . Discovered in 1964 on the slope overhanging the Garfagnana national route n.445 at Nibbiara , between Casola Lunigiana and Vigneta ( Casola in Lunigiana , MS ) . It belongs to group A and could therefore date to the eneolithic age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . The body has a rectangular shape and the head is semicircular . The sunken face has a semicircular U -shape . The eyes are button-shaped and set on the sides of the top part of the nose ; the collar bone ribbon is slightly arched and points downward in the middle; the arms are slightly bent at the elbows at different angles . A dagger , obtained lowering the surface of the stone , appears under the arms and has a convex triangular blade , while the handle has a semicircular knob .
San Cristoforo di Gordana (n.31)
This probably female stele statue is missing all the top part . It was found in 1948 in a small plain called “ San Cristoforo plain “ near the village of San Cristoforo in Gordana (Pontremoli , MS ), when a chestnut grove was dug up to sow grain on the land . Even though the statue is a fragment , the shape of the arms is that of the B group monuments , and it would therefore date to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . The body is rectangular and the arms are in relief and slightly bent at the elbows ; the hands are shown as parallel lines .
Sorano VII (n.73)
Recovered during an excavation conducted by the Archaeological Superintendence in 2003 in the Quartareccia locality, near the Pieve di Sorano. It belongs to the Copper Age and was reused as a slab in a Ligurian-Roman box tomb dating back to the 2nd-1st century b.C.
Moncigoli I (n.17)
This female stele statue was discovered at the beginning of the last century ( around 1910 ) in the Piana di Monciglioli ( Fivizzano ,MS) and then kept for a long time in a farmhouse . Its main features are those of the A group stele statues : rectangular body and semicircular head , and it therefore probably dates to the Eneolithic Age( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . The concave face is U- shaped and the nose and button-shaped eyes are in relief . The shoulders are barely defined and the collar bone in relief is slightly curved at the centre . The arms are lightly bent at the elbows and the round breasts are in relief .
Moncigoli II (n.18)
This stele statue was found in the Piana di Monciglioli in 1910 . It is a female statue classified as group A , with a rectangular body and semicircular head . It belongs to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000). The concave face is U-shaped and the rectangular nose is in relief . The shoulders are only very lightly defined ; the collar bone is in relief; the arms are slightly bent at the elbows : the breasts are in relief . The lower part of the stele statue is broken , as up to a certain extent the head.
Canossa I (n.44)
A male sandstone stele statue , the head is missing . It was found at “al Monte” (Mulazzo ,MS) , near Canossa Cemetery in 1972 . It belongs to group B ( D.173, 174) and dates to the Eneolithic Age (between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C.) . The body is rectangular and the collar-bone ribbon is rather narrow and bends downwards , the arms are slightly bent at the elbows , the hands are suggested by parallel incisions . Below the hands there is a horizontal dagger in a rectangular sheath ; the handle has a half-moon on it . The dagger-sheath is ribbed at the sides and ends with three points.
Aulla (n.63)
This head of a stele statue was discovered in 1996 at Calamazza , in the woods to the south of the town of Aulla(MS) ; it was lying on the ground near a ruined farmhouse . The spikes and the shape impressed in the mortar above the door lintel show where is was lodged . It belongs to the B group and probably dates to the Eneolithic Age (between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C.) . The outline of the head is a low arc with lateral elongations ; the head is rather damaged and is connected to a rectangular -section neck ; on the right side there is part of the shoulder . The barely distinguishable face is circular and slightly in relief
Mocrone (n.52)
This stele statue head was probably discovered at Canova in the Mocrone Plain (Villafranca in Lunigiana , MS )in 1978 , when a chestnut grove was dug up to sow grain on the land . It belongs to group B and could therefore date back to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . It is a head and neck with traces of the shoulders attached . The U-shaped face was badly damaged on discovery .
Castagneta (n.45)
It is a stele statue head: It was bought by an antiquarian and probably comes from a village in the Taverone valley, Castagneta (Licciana Nardi, MS) on the right side of the road that connects Licciana and Comano, almost on the border between these two towns. It belongs to the B group and dates to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C.). The head is semicircular with elongations at the sides, the neck is rounded and the sunken face is U-shaped . At the bottom of the face a slight curve probably hints at the chin or a beard.
Sorano III (n.41)
This male stele statue without its head was discovered in 1966-67 when the apse and the cemetery of the ancient Pieve di Sorano ( Filattiera , MS ) were restored . It belongs to group B ( the top part shows the base of the neck and a distinctive workmanship of the shoulder and could date back to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . It is in two pieces . The collar-bone ribbon is in relief and the left arm is slightly bent at the elbow and enlarged at the end showing a rather indistinct hand . There is a dagger placed horizontally below the arms . All that can be seen are the triangular blade and part of the rectangular handle . It is probably a typical example of intentional breakage during the Middle Ages that – as in the case of the stele statues number 22(Sorano I ) and number 23 ( Sorano II ) found in the same church – witnesses the carrying out of those episcopal councils that prescribed breaking heathen idols and building christian churches over them.
Venelia III (n.62)
It is a stele statue head found in 1995 at “Pescara” near the village of Monti ( Licciana Nardi , MS) in a heap of stones , probably discarded from building sites or road building . It belongs to group B and therefore could date to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . It is semicircular , shaped like a low arch with expansions at the sides ; the partly broken neck is rounded . The U-shaped face is missing the top part ; at the sides there are two little cups . A necklace made up of 7 elements is traced round the throat .
Venelia V (n.82)
Discovered in the march of 2012 by Angiolino Giumelli, digging a vineyard at Castagnolo near the village of Monti, Licciana, MS . Eneolithic Age ( middle of the IV – III millennium b.C. ).
Venelia II (n.59)
It is a male sandstone stele statue with the head missing . It was discovered in 1984 in a field at “San Martino basso “ near the village of Monti ( Licciana Nardi , MS ) . It belongs to group B and could therefore date back to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ). The body is rectangular , with very little left of the quite thick neck , the collar-bone ribbon is narrow and in relief , the arms are curved , especially towards the end , the hands are shown by parallel lines . A dagger in low relief , obtained carving away the surrounding stone , is placed horizontally below the hands . The blade is triangular and the handle has a semicircular knob .
Archeological excavation: The Venelia II archeological excavation was carried out in 1986-87 in all the field in which the stele statue had been found ; it was in a first level that had been disturbed and disrupted by ploughing and digging and where roman , medieval , renaissance and modern pottery shards were found . The findings in the area witness that the place was used in the eneolithic age , probably because of the monument itself, and that there was also an alignment of standing stones perhaps dating to the same period .
Falcinello (n.50)
This female stele statue that has no head and is damaged on the left side was found in 1975 , walled up as a lintel over a window in the old walls surrounding Falcinello ( Sarzana , SP) . It belongs to group B and dates to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C.) . It has arms a distinct collar- bone ribbon and the hands have no fingers . The breasts have been graven quite realistically . Between the two hands there is a little cup that would seem to have been added on recently .
Minucciano III (n.42)
It is a male stele statue broken in two at elbow level and missing the bottom part and the lower left side . It was discoverd in 1968 , with other two , near the sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso at Minucciano ( Minucciano , LU ) when a parking area was being built . On discovery this statue was already broken in two at the elbow level . It belongs to group B and thanks to the results obtained through the stratigraphic excavation we have a reliable eneolithic dating ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . The body is trapezoidal with a rather long and wide rounded neck and a semicircular head . The face is set off by a narrow circular ribbon with a vertical appendage representing the nose ; the eyes are very small and represented by two little holes at the top of the sides of the nose ; the collar-bone is shown as a two-piece motif broken off in the middle ; the arms are slightly bent at the elbows . Against the chest there is an upright long-handled axe with a rectangular blade and a dagger handle is placed horizontally below the arms .
In 1971 a stratigraphic excavation of the area in which the stele statue had been discovered was carried out and the results then obtained have recently been reviewed . What now appears as the most probable interpretation of the findings is that this stele statue was set up during the Eneolithic Age as part of a small alignment of standing stones ( level IVb) . This arrangement has similarities to other sites dating to the same time ( Venelia II , Velturno in the Adige Valley , Aosta , Sion ) . Later on , presumably in the middle Bronze Age, the stele statue was knocked down : it was actually discovered lying horizontally in a different level ( level IV ) . The features represented on the stele statue , similar to those of monuments of the same group ( group B ) , would seem to confirm that this statue dates to the Eneolithic Age or at the latest to the beginning of the Bronze Age . The stele statue is kept at the Pontremoli Museum , where there is also a copy . There are copies in the Museum of the Territory of the Upper Aulella Valley at Casola in Lunigiana , in the didactic area at Nibbiara ( Casola in Lunigiana ) on the square in front of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso at Minucciano .
Minucciano II (n.40)
A male sandstone stele statue , broken in two below the arms . It was found with other two in 1965 near the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso at Minucciano (LU) : the top half when the road was widened and the bottom amongst the discarded rubble . It belongs to group B and therefore dates to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . it has a trapezoid body with a rectangular neck and a semi-elliptic head . The face , which is very faint , has a U shape and is surrounded by a wide ribbon in relief that also traces the nose . The collar bone is in relief and the arms are bent at the elbows . Below the arms there is a horizontal dagger with an elliptic-shaped blade and a handle with a semicircular knob on it . On the chest one can trace the shape of a long-handled axe.
Minucciano I (n.37)
This male stele statue without a head was discovered together with other two in 1964 when the road to the sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso was dug , near Minucciano ( Minucciano, LU ) in the higher reaches of the Aulella valley . It belongs to group B and probably dates to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C.) . The roughly trapezoid body has arms only slightly bent at the elbows and hands represented by parallel lines . Upright against the chest there is a long-handled axe with a rectangular blade . There is also a dagger resting below the hands in horizontal position and in slight relief , that has a triangular blade with stiffening rib and a handle with a semicircular knob . It is kept at the Pontremoli Museum , where a copy is also kept . There is a copy on the square in front of the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Soccorso at Minucciano .
Betolleto (n.65)
It was discovered by Rino Barbieri in 1999 in one of the walls of Pasquino Poletti’s farm at Perdetola. It comes from the ridge dividing the Serchio and the Magra basins, not far from the Sanctuary of Minucciano pass. Eneolithic Age (middle of the IV – III millennium b.C.) .
Taponecco (n.49)
This complete male stele statue was found in 1975 at “Cavallino” of Taponecco ( Licciana , MS ) when a road was widened . It belongs to group B and probably dates therefore to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b-C. ) . The body is trapezoid with a rounded neck and the head is semicircular . The sunken U-shaped face is rather narrow and long ; the nose , worked in relief , is wide and long ; the collar-bone ribbon is in relief ; the arms are bent and the elbows stick out ; the hands are shown by parallel lines . A dagger , placed below the hands and pointing slightly upward , has a wide triangular blade with ribbing down the middle and a semicircular knob on the handle .
Treschietto (n.43)
This female stele statue without a head was found in 1969 in the cemetery at Treschietto ( Bagnone , MS ) . It belongs to group B and dates to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . The body is more or less rectangular and the rounded neck very long and thick . The collar-bone ribbon is rather narrow and in relief ; the arms are slightly bent at the elbows ; the hands are close together and shown by parallel lines , the thumb is lightly bent ; the breasts are protruding and the nipples are faintly etched . A choker ,shown as a pile of rings , covers all the neck .
Filetto X (n.47)
It is a female stele statue damaged in the top and lower parts. It was found in 1956 at “Casa Madonna” at Filetto (Villafranca in Lunigiana ,MS). It belongs to the B group and therefore could date back to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ). It is squarish and the collar- bone ribbon is slightly in relief , the arms are lightly bent at the elbows and the small breasts are close to each other and in relief . A loop in relief under the collar bone represents a necklace.
Filetto VIII (n.32)
It is a sandstone stele statue head with part of the neck . It was found in 1950 when the Selva of Filetto ( Villafranca in Lunigiana ,MS) was ploughed . It belongs to the B group and dates back to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C.) . It is semi-elliptic , the lower part of the face which is surrounded by a round ribbon in relief with a vertical appendage representing the nose , is slightly damaged . The eyes are button-shaped and in relief ; two small circles in relief at the sides of the face but at slightly different levels probably represent ears or earrings . It is kept at the Pontremoli Museum.
Filetto XI (n.57)
When this stele statue head was discovered in 1983 , it had been used to build the wall of a house at Filetto ( Villafranca in Lunigiana , MS) . It belongs to group B because of the arc shape and side expansions and therefore dates to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . The sunken face is shaped like a rather tall U and the rounded neck is long and thick . At the sides of the face there are two couples of little cups . It is kept at Pontremoli Museum.
Malgrate III (n.34)
It is a female sandstone stele statue missing the head . It was in a house at Malgrate ( Vilalfranca in Lunigiana , MS) where it was used as a shelf and then , until 1968 , was kept in the public Library at Villafranca . It belongs to group B and to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . Even though usage has damaged it , the collar- bone ribbon in slight relief , the arms , the hands represented by parallel lines , the rather prominent and damaged breasts are easily recognizable.
Malgrate V (n.36)
It is a male sandstone stele statue with the head missing . It was recognized in 1968 , after having been used for years as part of the pillar of a fountain in the village of Malgrate ( VIllafranca in Lunigiana , MS ) . It is considered as of uncertain classification and date . The body is roughly rectangular and has not very clearly distinguishable arms . Below the arm there is a dagger or sword in a rectangular sheath . The head n.35 , Malgrate IV may belong to this stele statue .
Malgrate VI (n.58)
A female stele statue , damaged at the bottom and on the left side . It was found in 1981 on a farm at Casa Agosti at Malgrate ( Villafranca in Lunigiana , MS ) . It is classified as group B and therefore dates to the Eneolithic Age ( between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C. ) . The lower part and the left side are damaged and missing . The body is rectangular , the neck rounded and the head is semicircular . The very faint face is surrounded by a narrow ribbon in relief with a vertical feature attached representing the nose . The collar -bone ribbon is narrow and in relief , the only surviving breast is rounded and in relief.
Malgrate IV (n.35)
It is the head of a sandstone stele statue. It was probably discovered at the beginning of the last century near Malgrate (Villafranca in Lunigiana, MS ); before being used as an ornament for a fountain built in 1907 at Canaletto di Malgrate the head had been kept in somebody’s cellar. It was recognized only in 1968. It belongs to group B and dates to the Eneolithic Age (between 3400/3300 and 2300/2000 b.C.). The head is elongated at the sides and the cilindrical neck is rather powerful . The face is barely distinguishable since the date 1907 has been chipped into it. Between the 0 and the 9 one can trace the rectangular shape of the nose . A line in relief on the neck probably represents a metal collar.