Three views of Polizzello helmetClay figurine of ithyphallic warrior
Thearchaeological site of Polizzello ormountain of Polizzello[1] was a site inhabited probably from the eleventh to the sixth century BC
The name apparently derives from the tyrant Polyzelus.[2][3][4]According to another thesis the name derives from the Greek πολις Ειθηλος (Polizzello), although so far there is no archaeological evidence that may indicate the presence of a Greek settlement in the area.[5]
The site is great for a human settlement for its easily defensible position and for the presence of water sources. It consists of two plateaus of which the upper smallest one is home ofAcropolis and place of the first protohistoric and archaic settlement, moreover; the site has an east–west orientation with a single access from east.[6]
Historically, the site had three significant phases:
Early Bronze Age (19th–16th centuries BC), of which remain some chamber tombs ofCastelluccio period and a circular hut with ornaments placed on the eastern side of the mountain.
11th–9th centuries BC with the creation of anAcropolis placed on top of the hill.
8th–6th centuries BC, period of maximum development of the center, of which remains a monumental fence that runs along the edge of the terrace on the hill and a series of circular buildings:Sacelli, places of worship. Inside which exceptional historical artifacts have been found including thePolizzello helmet of Cretan workmanship and a clay figurine of ithyphallic warrior (The Warrior of Polizzello).
Of the fifth century BC are the remains of the House of Temenos. This is a residential building with multiple rooms.
Rosalba Panvini; Carla Guzzone; Dario Palermo (2009).Polizzello: Scavi del 2004 nell'area del santuario arcaico dell'acropoli. Regione Siciliana - Assessorato dei Beni Culturali, Ambientali e della Pubblica Istruzione Dipartimento dei Beni Culturali, Ambientali, dell’Educazione Permanente, dell’Architettura e dell’Arte Contemporanea. p. 84.ISBN978-88-6164-132-7.
Giuseppe Castellana (2002).La Sicilia nel II millennio a.C. Palermo: Salvatore Sciascia Editore.ISBN88-8241-130-3.
Jean Huré (2005).Storia della Sicilia dalle origini ai giorni nostri. Brugherio (MI): Brancato Editore.ISBN88-8031-078-X.
Salvatore Piccolo (2007).Antiche Pietre. La cultura dei dolmen nella Preistoria della Sicilia sud-orientale. Morrone Editore.ISBN978-88-902640-7-8.
Salvatore Spoto (2002).Sicilia antica. Roma: Newton Compton Ed.ISBN88-8289-750-8.
Sebastiano Tusa (1999).La Sicilia nella preistoria. Palermo: Sellerio Editore.ISBN88-389-1440-0.
Giuseppe Voza (1999).Nel segno dell'antico. Arnaldo Lombardi Editore.ISBN88-317-2606-4.
Sicily
