Whoever decides to read this work on prehistoric dolmens in south-east Sicily probably has some notions regarding prehistory, especially the Bronze Age, though may not know the characteristics of the authors specific investigations in detail. In fact the research deals with monuments that are little known in Sicily but better accredited to other areas of Europe and the Mediterranean.

Salvatore Piccolo set himself to explain the dolmen phenomena in Europe in the prehistoric Megalithic context, reaching a finely detailed description of the ancient stones to be found in the south-east of the island of Sicily.

It presents a lot of new material, much of it the work of the author himself.

Piccolo presents an updated map of their distribution in Sicily: a little number are found in western

island, but the major concentrations are in eastern, and the author argues that there was at least many migration of northern people into Sicily. This volume highlights one thing, a greater understanding on the human travel in the course of the centuries. The attractively produced book is a very welcome addition to the literature on bronze Age in Sicily.

The greatest among its many strengths is the author's demonstration how some monuments, not considered till all of time, can be investigated through close examination of specific archaeological evidence and how such an investigation can help us understand what life was like for people who lived in the past.

The anthropological remains and ceramic fragments, found by the author in one of these sites, are the most significant features: they show tombal characteristics of these small monuments and their dating to the end of the 3rd and the first half of the 2nd millennium B.C.

We need more like this!

Anthony B. (Archaeologist)

The Prehistory of Sicily, especially during the Neolithic Age, is an important contribution to the study of the development of social stratification of Europe. The study of the past gives us opportunities to analyse these processes, and to see other ways of being, rather than a fixed human condition. Ancient Stones, make an important point in time contribution to research into, giving us the awareness of the great journeys that men faced at all times. Mike F. (archaeologist)

A new entry.

The author possesses a specific eye for detail, and the book presents a considerable body of closely researched information, integrating the few existing data with those obtained by himself during his research.

This nice book delivers much: the entry of the largest Mediterranean island into orbit of European megalithism.