Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo / Gradišče v Repniču

Could these stones hold the secrets of the cosmos? Here at the Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo, an ancient hilltop fortress near Trieste, two unassuming circular stones whisper tales of a time long past. The Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo itself is a marvel. This defensive structure, used from 1800-1650 BC to 400 BC, stands as a testament to the ingenuity of the Castellieri culture. Its thick walls, once reaching 7-8 meters high, protected those within from outside threats. The entrance, a narrow passage defended by a tower and contrafforte, speaks volumes about the dangers faced by those who sought refuge here. But back to our stones. Discovered near the entrance, these 50 cm diameter stones have intrigued archaeologists. One, seemingly unworked except for its circular shape, is thought to represent the sun. The other, however, holds a far greater mystery. This stone, etched with 29 markings, is believed to be one of the oldest celestial maps found in Italy, possibly dating back to the 4th century BC. Imagine the sky above Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo 2,500 years ago. The constellations of Cassiopeia, Orion, Scorpius, and the Pleiades shone brightly, their positions meticulously carved onto this stone. Scholars believe a single craftsman, armed with a metal chisel, created these markings, possibly even using a bronze tool like the one found at the nearby Castelliere di Elleri. One intriguing detail adds to the mystery. One of the 29 markings doesn’t seem to align with any known star from that period. Some theorize it represents a supernova, a transient celestial event, or perhaps even a “failed supernova,” leaving behind a black hole. The Nebra sky disk from Germany predates this map. However, it’s more of a symbolic representation than a precise map like the one found here at Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo. This discovery pushes back our understanding of celestial mapping in Italy, hinting at a surprising curiosity about the cosmos in protohistoric Europe. As you stand here, at Castelliere di Rupinpiccolo, gaze up at the sky and imagine those early skywatchers, charting the movements of the stars and etching their knowledge onto stone, leaving a legacy for us to discover millennia later.