Imagine a dim light flickering in the darkness here at Caverna delle Lucerne. What secrets does this small cave hold?
Caverna delle Lucerne is located in a depression on the slope of a large sinkhole. The cave’s name translates to “Cave of the Lamps”. It hints at its rich history.
The story of Caverna delle Lucerne is quite interesting. During World War I, the cave was altered. These modifications unfortunately destroyed a prehistoric deposit. This deposit must have been very interesting. Alongside Austrian military materials, ceramic fragments were discovered.
But the cave’s name comes from a specific find. Some rough Roman oil lamps called “lucerne” were found in an untouched niche. These lamps give us a glimpse into the past.
The exploration revealed more details. Caverna delle Lucerne extends horizontally. It is considered a fossil cave and holds archaeological significance.
In 2000, a GPS survey repositioned the cave on a regional map. This shows its importance for accurate record-keeping. Adaptations were made to the cave during World War I.
Inside Caverna delle Lucerne, the walkable area covers 72 square meters. The ground is mainly gravelly. There is little to no concretion and no internal water.
Archaeological investigations took place in 1971. The Società Alpina delle Giulie led the dig. The finds dated back to the Roman era.
Archaeologists discovered several ceramic items. Four intact oil lamps with the VIBIANI stamp dating from the 1st to 3rd century AD were among them. Also found was an Italian-made amphora with the APOLO stamp dating from the 2nd to 1st century BC. Three fragments of a thin-walled glass and coarse pottery completed the finds.
The oil lamps were found intact in a niche near the entrance of Caverna delle Lucerne. The artifacts are now stored at the Soprintendenza per i Beni Archeologici del Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Trieste.
Caverna delle Lucerne may be small. It stretches only 12 meters with a depth of 2.3 meters. Yet its historical importance is significant. It connects us to Roman times and the First World War.
As you stand here, consider those ancient lamps. They once illuminated this very spot. They offer a quiet echo of lives lived long ago within Caverna delle Lucerne.