Cave di Cusa is a fascinating site located in Sicily, Italy. It is an ancient quarry that was used to extract the stone used in the construction of temples in the nearby ancient Greek city of Selinunte. The quarry dates back to the 6th century BC and was in use until 409 BC, when the city was captured by the Carthaginians.
The site consists of numerous quarries, with the largest measuring over 65,000 square meters. The quarries are remarkable for the size of the blocks of stone that were extracted, some of which weighed as much as 100 tons. The stone was cut using a technique called “opera incerta,” which involved cutting deep grooves in the rock using bronze chisels and then breaking the stone free with wedges.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the site is the question of who exactly was responsible for carving these giant rock holes. While it is known that the quarry was operated by the ancient Greeks, it is unclear whether they used slaves or hired workers to do the actual quarrying. Some scholars believe that the quarry may have been operated by the local Sicilian population, who were subjugated by the Greeks.
Today, the Cave di Cusa is a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world who are fascinated by the ancient engineering techniques used in its construction. The site is a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of ancient civilizations, and serves as a reminder of the rich history of the Mediterranean region.
