Fumane
Riparo Solinas: a prehistoric treasure
Riparo Solinas, also known as Grotta di Fumane, is an archeological site of great importance located in Verona province. Discovered in 1962 by Giovanni and Alberto Solinas, two prehistory enthusiasts, the Riparo was inhabited for a long period from approximately 60,000 years ago until the collapse of the cave about 25,000 years ago. During this period, the cave was inhabited by various human species, including Homo neanderthalensis and Aurignacian Homo sapiens.
Riparo Solinas is considered one of the most important sites in Europe for its long period of use and unique features. It joins other important prehistoric sites in the Verona area, such as Riparo Soman, Riparo Tagliente in Camposilvano, Covolo, the cave system at the foot of Ponte di Veja, Castelliere delle Guaite and many other minor presences.
An unusual museum
Riparo Solinas has been structured as an unusual museum. With the contribution of a local bank foundation, the site has been made accessible to public visits. The structure consists of two entrances: one on the road side, with a laminated wood and transparent plastic structure, and a second entrance in the interior of the forest, which allows access to the upper part of the cave, avoiding the ladder path.
The musealization work was curated by a group of architects led by Arrigo Rudi. The museum offers an in-depth view of the stratigraphic excavation, dated with the radiocarbon system. Each layer is highlighted by the artifacts found, including charcoal, animal carcasses, splinters and flint, organic substances and tools. In addition, Riparo Solinas was inhabited more recently and the remains of several fireplaces were colored with red ochre. There is also a pit used as a waste dump, a sign of how Homo sapiens divided the space into precise areas.
A unique collection
The collection of Riparo Solinas is unique in the world. Among the most interesting artifacts are the ocher drawings, among the oldest ever made, which are found on the cave wall. To date, five drawings have been identified, a couple of which are well known. The first represents a horned being for which several hypotheses have been put forward, including that of a shaman or a ritual operator. Another hypothesis suggests that it is a symbolic figure that synthesizes the human and animal spheres, or still a mother holding a child's hand or a hunter with prey.
In addition, the museum houses a wide collection of stone and bone tools, including scrapers, arrowheads, perforators, razors and saws. There are also remains of animals, including deer, horses, reindeer and bison, with signs of butchering and processing of skins. A section of the museum is dedicated to snow and glaciers of the glacial period, of which Riparo Solinas preserves important testimonies.
Conclusions
In conclusion, Riparo Solinas is a prehistoric treasure that deserves to be known and appreciated. Thanks to the commitment of the local bank foundation and the group of architects who curated the musealization, Riparo Solinas is now accessible to public visits. Despite its location hundreds of meters from the nearest parking lot and on a steep road, the museum is a unique place in the world that offers an in-depth view of human evolution and its relationship with the territory over millennia.
