| Mount Bibele | |
|---|---|
House at Mount Bibele | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 617 m (2,024 ft) |
| Coordinates | 44°16′14″N11°22′22″E / 44.27056°N 11.37278°E /44.27056; 11.37278 |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Likely derives from the Latin word Bibo, which means to drink |
| Language of name | Italian |
| Geography | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna |
| Parent range | Apennines |
Mount Bibele is a large mountain in theApennine mountains which acts as a divide between thedrainage basins of theIdice river to the east and theZena river to the west. Its highest point is 617 m (2,024 ft) above sea level. The mountain is located in thecommune ofMonterenzio.
Thetoponym Bibele likely derives from the Latin verbbibo which means to drink. Medieval documents describe a mountain with the nameMonte Bibulo.[1]
The mountain is made ofsandstones,biocalcarenite, andmarls from theMioceneepoch of theNeogenegeologic period.[2] The mountain has three peaks. Mount Bibele is the highest and is 617 metres (2,024 ft) high. It is the origin of the name of the mountain. The other peaks are Mount Tamburino, which is 575 m high, and Mount Savino, which is 550 m high.[3]

This region was likely settled by humans due to its naturally fortified position that allows for a view of theRaticosa pass and access to thePo valley. This provided an economic benefit as it was on a trade route between theEtruscan civilization and central Italy.[4]
Archaeological evidence has revealed that it was inhabited as early as the EuropeanCopper Age. Anecropolis on the site was used by theLa Tène culture, the Etruscan civilization, and the Celts.[5] The oldest tombs in the cemetery date from 450 to 350 BCE and likely belong to the Etruscan civilization. Tombs dating back to the later parts of the 4th century BCE haveCeltic artifacts. The necropolis is the largest Celtic cemetery found inItaly. There are 171 tombs including 123inhumations and 38cremations. Excavations at the cemetery began in 1980.[2] Numerousceramics and bronzestatuettes have also been found.[3][6][4]