Besnate
Besnate's Lagozza: an archaeological site
Besnate's Lagozza is an important archaeological site located in Besnate, Varese province. It covers an area of 40000 m<sup>2</sup> and hosts the Torbiera della Lagozza, where the Lagozza Civilization was discovered, dating back to the Neolithic period. The name "lagozza" seems to come from the Lombard dialect term "lagass," which means "lagazzo."
The discovery of the archaeological site
The discovery of the archaeological site dates back to 1877 when Count Carlo Ottavio Cornaggia-Castiglioni accidentally discovered the existence of an ancient pile-dwelling site in Besnate's Lagozza. However, until then, the area had been considered unhealthy and useless due to the stagnant water that formed a vast marsh and swamps.
The reclamation of Lagozza
Lagozza was owned by the Arrigoni, a noble Lombard family, and in 1875 it passed to Count Cornaggia-Castiglioni, who committed to reclaiming the area. A first attempt had already been made in 1817, but it failed due to the peat layer of the subsoil. In 1875, the count resumed the reclamation works, planning to remove the peat layer of the soil to make it cultivable and using the extracted peat as fuel.
Lagozza vs. Lagozzetta
Lagozzetta, a 10000 m<sup>2</sup> area near Lagozza, was drained using the same method between 1872 and 1875. During the reclamation of Lagozzetta, many trunks and branches of large trees were found arranged in a way that suggested they had fallen due to the surrounding hills' collapse. This explanation attributed to natural phenomena may have been used by the primitive inhabitants of the area to raise the basin's bottom and obtain a base for their huts.
Conclusions
Besnate's Lagozza is an important archaeological site where the Lagozza Civilization dating back to the Neolithic period was discovered. The name "lagozza" seems to derive from the Lombard dialect term "lagass." The ownership of Lagozza had various turnovers, and Count Carlo Ottavio Cornaggia-Castiglioni deserves credit for discovering the ancient pile-dwelling site. The reclamation of Lagozza took many years of work and the use of the extracted peat as fuel. The archaeological site of Besnate's Lagozza is a place to visit to discover the area's history and its ancient civilizations.
