The Speleo-Archaeological Museum MIdA 01

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5. Archaeological stratigraphy

Excavations carried out at the end of the 19th century uncovered a complex archaeological deposit, reaching a depth of about three meters. This deposit is the result of overlapping layers of sediment, each one corresponding to a different period during which humans inhabited the cave—ranging from protohistoric times to the historical era.Based on drawings and observations made by the first archaeologists working on the site, it has been possible to create a life-sized reproduction of this stratigraphy, 2.7 metres tall and 3.8 metres wide, in the centre right of the room. It shows the sequence of layers, which can be viewed from two different angles as you move around it. Each layer of earth tells the story of a specific period. The deeper layers are the oldest. In this case, the lower levels contain artefacts from the Bronze Age, while the uppermost layers include objects dating from the Middle Ages, spanning around 3,000 years. Typical objects from each period emerged from the stratified sediments, recalling the finds actually recovered during excavations. Fragments of pottery and terracotta vessels, tools made of bone and stone implements can be seen.
Two dark wooden beams embedded in the middle and lower levels are evidence of the stilt structures found in the archaeological deposit.We know that observing, describing and documenting this stratigraphy was far from easy.
Exploration records from the late eighteen hundreds report frequent flooding of the excavation trenches, caused by water seeping from the nearby underground river. This remains a challenge even today, forcing archaeologists to use water pumps and artificial barriers to carry out their investigations.

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4. Living on the underground waters

Although the Pertosa-Auletta Caves have yielded archaeological traces of very early human occupation, for example, during the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods, it was only during the Bronze Age, between the end of the 3rd and all of the 2nd millennium BCE, that the entrance area of the cave underwent its most intense and long-lasting occupation.Establishing a settlement inside the cave presented a number of challenges, mainly due to the marshy ground caused by the underground river. Heavy rains could lead to episodes of flooding, threatening inundation. To overcome these difficulties, a large stilt structure was built in the Bronze Age. By raising the living surface, previously unusable areas became accessible and habitable.Near the stilt structure, archaeologists found ceramic objects, such as lids of vessels for boiling, pots with divided basins, strainers, and ladles. These finds offer valuable insights into the economy of the people who once lived here. One of their main activities was breeding sheep and goats, with the respective dairy and meat products. Bone combs found at the site may be related to the carding of wool.To the left of the entrance, a model is displayed in a glass case. It shows what the large stilt house might have looked like, along with scenes of everyday life. On the left side of the model, a figure is seated by a lit fire, busy cooking. Behind, there is an enclosure with part of the flock, while on the right, two men are watching over some goats. The rocky walls surrounding the scene appear jagged, as if shaped over the centuries by the water.To reach the next stop on the tour, head towards the central right area of the room. There, dividing the space, you’ll see a vertical wall that displays the stratigraphy of the caves.

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3. The inner votive deposit

The first human presence in the Pertosa-Auletta Caves was driven by practical needs. The abundance of underground water offered humans many useful functions and brought significant advantages. Over time, however, particularly in the late protohistoric period, the use of the cave may have taken on a sacred significance, according to signs discovered by scholars. This idea emerged with the discovery of the so-called “inner votive deposit”: a collection of small ceramic vessels, found deep inside the entrance passage of the cave.The spot where it was found is in heavy shadow, where daylight gradually fades into complete underground darkness. Here, around three hundred miniature vessels were either stacked in crevices in the rock wall or placed beneath a large boulder on the ground. The position of the votive deposit, placed in the part furthest from  the entrance chamber, suggests that ancient people carried out rituals in the cave. It is likely that these miniature vessels were brought inside as part of a religious ceremony, and then left behind intentionally, much like votive offerings.This important discovery is presented at the MIdA 01 Museum through a life-sized reconstruction, four-and-a-half metres wide, two metres and eighty centimetres high.
Inside the rocky niche on the left-hand side, a man is depicted from behind, leaning slightly forward as he places a small vessel in a crack in the rock. Around him, the interplay of light and shadow helps reveal the atmosphere of this sacred space: dozens of miniature vessels can be seen inside small cavities along the walls and on the ground.Now, let’s move on to the centre of the left wall of the room, where a display case contains a diorama of the caves.

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2. The protohistoric stilt houses

Thousands of years ago, the entrance chamber of the Pertosa-Auletta Caves was marshland crossed by a flowing river. To adapt to this wet environment, people built raised platforms, mostly made of oak, suspended above the ground on vertical posts. These structures are known as pile dwellings or stilt houses.
The ancient dwellings are extraordinary archaeological evidence and, as far as we know today, they remain a unique example in Europe of such dwellings built underground.The stilt village once covered almost the entire available area, extending over roughly 600 square meters. Some fragments survived in the riverbed, unchanged by the transformations of  the modern era. Radiocarbon dating of the wooden structures places them roughly between 3,500 and 3,000 years ago.In the centre of the room, directly facing the entrance, you can find a  life-sized reconstruction measuring about four and a half meters per side. It shows how the so-called "upper stilt house" was built, that is, the stilt structure closest to the surface.
The reconstruction is about 80 centimetres high and is made up of vertical and horizontal wooden poles with precise interlocking joints.
On top of this wooden framework is a platform made from a mixture of various plant materials and clay. This is where ancient people carried out their daily activities, like the one shown here, set during the Bronze Age. A woman kneels to grind grain, while a curious child watches her. Nearby, there is a firepit surrounded by terracotta pots and a wicker basket, the existence of which were confirmed by archaeological surveys.The next life-sized scene is located at the far left side of the room, along the back wall. A reconstruction of what archaeologists call the “inner votive deposit” can be found there.
We’ll meet you there.

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1. The Speleo-Archaeological Museum MIdA 01

Welcome to the Speleo-Archaeological Museum MIdA 01 in Pertosa. You are about to embark on a fascinating journey through nature, archaeology and human history.
This museum preserves and showcases the valuable archaeological finds discovered inside the Pertosa-Auletta Caves.The museum’s collections were inspired by the research carried out in the late 19th century by two pioneers, Giovanni Patroni and Paolo Carucci, the first to recognize the archaeological significance of this site. Their investigations led to the discovery of thousands of artefacts buried in the mud that had been deposited by the river that flowed through the cave. In the entrance chamber, they also uncovered the remains of ancient pile dwellings, that is, stilt houses. Research came to a halt in the early 20th century but has recently resumed, allowing us to deepen and develop our knowledge of the very ancient connection between humans and this underground system.The museum settings have been designed to illustrate in a clear and accessible way the unique features of the subterranean site, the history of its exploration, the fundamental features and profound reasons for the ancient human presence here in Pertosa.
The exhibition presents life-sized, realistic reconstructions of scenes and moments from the past. Other interpretive tools include interactive multimedia stations, short documentaries on selected themes, and explanatory panels with texts in both Italian and English. Finally, a carefully selected collection of archaeological artefacts documents the main phases of human occupation inside the cave, from prehistory to protohistory, and from the Hellenistic period to the Middle Ages.Your journey back in time begins as you enter the exhibition halls to the left of the ticket desk. Toilets and the bookshop can be found on the right.