Le grotte della Calabria

Year: 1991 Format: 17x24 Pages: 220 Photos: col This monograph represents the first overall synthesis of knowledge on the subsoil of Calabria, with particular regard to the more northern territories notoriously rich in underground emergencies. It is an organic and rigorous analysis of the most important caves, chosen on the basis of different criteria: interest on an exploratory, historical-archaeological, hydrological and tourist level. For each one the Author proposes an accurate cadastral sheet, in which the main identifying data are summarized (location, reference cartography, geographical coordinates, speleometric values, authorship and date of the topographic survey); follows the approach itinerary, the description of the underground route and a parenthesis on the history of the research with in-depth windows on any aspects of particular importance. Furthermore, a precision topographical survey and rich photographic documentation of the internal environments are provided for each cave. This discussion is preceded by seven introductory essays on the history of speleological research, geology and karst, the anthropization of cavities in prehistoric times, popular traditions linked to the underground world and, finally, on the local Cave Cadastre. Although more than ten years have passed since its publication and although speleological research in Calabria has developed considerably, this book still retains its relevance and its character as a container of timely information on the underground treasures of the region.