Nottole Cave

This cavity is closely related to the nearby Grotta di Fondarca, of which it is the continuation obstructed by the gigantic accumulation of leaded debris inside the rocky amphitheater. karst phenomenon older than Nero. While Fondarca is the residue of a large underground volume uncovered by the erosion that occurred on the surface.

From 2001 to today, the University of Tuscia has been conducting research under the direction of prof. Gian Maria Di Nocera, revealing evidence proving a use of the cave from the Ancient Bronze Age to the Recent Bronze Age (from 2300 and 1200 BC). The cavity did not return either burials or housing structures, while numerous hearths were revealed. This natural environment was perhaps chosen periodically for convivial meetings or for worship activities, it is assumed from the bones of various ungulates bearing traces of slaughter found there. The cave was also used by the Romans (from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century AD), but no elements from the Middle Ages were found.

The cave is home to cave species belonging to the parietal fauna, such as: dolicopods, butterflies of the genus Scoliopteryx and the cave spider, Meta menardi, geotritons (Speleomantes italicus), interesting cave-dwelling salamanders. But to characterize the cave is a colony of miniopterus bats (Miniopterus schreibersii), a species that forms groups of hundreds of units on the vault of the cave. Bats are useful in maintaining the ecological balance, they eat thousands of insects, including mosquitoes, they do not attack humans, they do not stick to the hair. The recommendation is to pass quickly under the colony without disturbing.