Museo Archeologico del Casentino

The Archaeological Museum of Casentino, divided into 6 rooms, is essentially based on a chronological order showing the visitor as the Casentino valley has been transformed in the period between the prehistory and the late Roman period. Within the overall chronological system, however, they find space more thematic sections, like the one on Etruscan sanctuaries or the burials, useful to understand special split of history and ancient societies. Hall 1 is dedicated to Prehistory. In Window 1 are exposed the fossil remains of villafranchiana fauna (about 700,000 years ago), composed of skeletal portions of Elephas meridionalis and Hippopotamus antiquus, demonstrating how even the Casentino (like the nearby valleys) for a long time has been characterized by a lake environment of caldoumido climate. The series of casts of the human skulls introduces the theme of physical evolution, and through the lithic artifacts exposed in successive windows is presented as cultural: the lower the Middle Palaeolithic, from the Upper Paleolithic to the age of metals. In room 2 are finds from the ridge or valley settlements, testifying to the first Etruscan attendance of the Casentino: Pratello, Serelli and Masseto. Hall 3 is dedicated to the theme of the Etruscan religion, and in particular to the Socana sanctuary, with the reconstruction of the high and coroplastiche decorations. Also as part of the religious theme, the Hall 4 presents the findings from the large Etruscan votive offerings of Lake of Idols on Mount Falterona. The museum display of most of the artifacts recovered from the campaign of 1972 and those of the 2003-2007 close the long chapter of archaeological investigation at the Lake of the Idols, which began in 1838. In Hall 5 they are shown the testimonies of the Roman age, through a layout that favors the functional criterion to the topographical. In the hall the exhibits are in fact welcomed related to the production of food and the intended for their supplies. The reconstruction of part of Domo thermal plant and the exposure of building materials pointing attention to the Roman farm and the services connected with it. Then there are the finds from sites related to the late Roman period, with evidence of the arrival of the Barbarians. Also in the room 5 are also the testimonies space the ancient funerary world through the exhibition of various types of burial found in Casentino: from burials cappuccina those for burial, from tipping burials to those cremation. The last room, the 6, is finally dedicated to temporary exhibitions. The Museum also has a classroom equipped for running workshops and educational activities.