Pizzo Cannita, severe tiny hill located near the river Eleuterio
in the southeastern part of the Conca d'Oro it is a place where, during the VI-IV century BC, an autochthonous population settled with the intention of defending the wealth originating from the course of the river. This was only possible to establish after the discovery of one necropolis which was found among the last dwellings of Sea port , Montagnola Villa with the fulcrum identified right on the hill.
Random episode that occurred only during the seventeenth century by some stone excavators and well evidenced by the discovery of two anthropoid sarcophagi discovered in 1695 and 1725 and probably related to two priestesses guardians of the cult of Cronos.
The sarcophagi of Pizzo Cannita they are unique specimens having these characteristics that have been found in Sicily and can be traced back to Phoenician art.
The singularity is also due to the fact that the tombs where the Sarcophagi of Pizzo Cannita, were characterized by an original mix of situations since in addition to the inhumations inside the sarcophagi, a cremation inside a cinerary urn and another sarcophagus covered by a theory of large tiles were also discovered.
The two sarcophagi of Cannita
There is talk of the discovery of the first of the two Sarcophagi of Pizzo Cannita in a book of 1697 by Vincent Auria by Title Chronological history of the Lords Viceroys of Sicily. In fact, the discovery is reported to have taken place by certain stone excavators who, on 20 September 1695 in the Cannita area, found a chamber-type tomb, sealed by a rectangular stone which, once removed, made it possible to see a large sarcophagus lying in a deep pit which was itself covered by other stone slabs. In addition to the sarcophagus, there was also a rich funerary outfit which included various and varied ceramics, dishes and pottery, glass and alabaster objects, bronze objects, rings, jewels, coins, pearls and a gold band.
If all traces of this treasure were immediately lost, only the lid of the sarcophagus was recovered on which there was a figure carved in relief having the features of a woman dressed in a long dress with pleated sleeves and arms close to the body. The find, due to its peculiarities, was dated around the first half of the fifth century BC as it was classic style of relief sculpture, appeared unmistakable albeit typically Oriental. The find was brought to the Duke of Uzeda at that time acting as Viceroy of Sicily who kept it with him until the moment of his definitive departure from the island when he donated it to Giuseppe Valguarnera, Praetor of Palermo and Prince of Niscemi.
The second sarcophagus of Pizzo Cannita
The second sarcophagus was also accidentally discovered in 1725 and is mentioned in a report written by the abbot Michael Del Giudice in which he also mentions a third sarcophagus even reproduced as an illustration by the Dutch historian Philippe D'Orville. It was always excavators who found the precious artifact which was found at the bottom of an underground chamber near the town of Fondovilla.
The recovery operation was somewhat complex since a massive travertine boulder blocked the entrance to the sepulcher which, when it was reduced to pieces, allowed the vision of the sarcophagus which was impossible to open due to the excessive weight of the lid. The excavators decided to warn the Prince of Cattolica Don Francesco Bonanno-Del Bosco who assumed the responsibility of solving the problem.
Once opened, the grave goods that were found inside included several ivory amulets, a black vase and some metal fragments. Very different from the first, is the style of the figure in relief present in this second sarcophagus which sees the head in the round with hair that descends to the sides of a pronounced broad face. The figure of the body shows a draped dress where protruding breasts emerge.
The two sarcophagi, restored later the unification of Italy and still settled in A. Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo, are considered by experts to be truly unicum that exemplify i anthropoid sarcophagi. Here is the reason why go to see the phoenix priestesses of Cannita lace it represents an opportunity to see something truly original that is unlikely to be found again.
