Archeology Section
From millions of years to thousands, while we enter the archaeological section of the museum with a series of rooms dedicated to the Mesolithic period (11,600–7,500 years ago). A panel on the left side introduces the topic with an overview of the high-altitude archaeological site of Mondeval de Sora (2,150 m above sea level). Here, the remains of huts have been documented, along with a sequence of archaeological layers containing not only worked flint tools but also the remains of meals (bones) from hunted animals and charcoal from hearths.
One of the two display cases in the room shows the characteristics of the environment and the subsistence economy practiced by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. In the second display case, on the opposite side, there are three panels about the Mondeval de Sora area, the seasonal nomadism in the Alpine region, and lithic technology, as well as two environmental models and a selection of worked flint tools.
And then, on the back wall, a detailed diorama, completed by an audio guide, recreates some aspects of life and activities carried out in a Mesolithic hut, built under a rock shelter, based on data derived from the scientific study of the Mondeval de Sora site.
Continuing along the archaeological tour, there are two more rooms: in the first you can see the grave objects found in the burial of the Mesolithic hunter, known as “Valmo—The Man of Mondeval”. These artifacts are extremely beautiful and important because of their conservation, quality and quantity (there are approximately 60 objects): among them a finely crafted fishing harpoon, a series of atrophied deer canine teeth (pierced and probably used for a necklace), large flint blades about 10 cm long, and small flakes made with very sophisticated techniques.
The second and last room of the archeological section is quite evocative: the light slowly turn off, giving way to a starry sky, and in a breathtaking setting, you can admire the original skeleton of the Man of Mondeval. Incredibly well-conserved, it is in a specially climate-controlled floor display case, recreating the ancient burial site found at the highest altitude in Europe. Here you willf find another helpful audio guide with special lighting that highlights the objects of the burial. The archaeological section ends with a video that reconstructs the possible appearance of the Man of Mondeval based on the characteristics of the skull.
Valmo, the man of Mondeval
In Mondeval de Sora, at 2.150 meters of altitude in the municipality of San Vito di Cadore, in 1987 during an archaeological excavation campaign started after a reporting of Vittorino Cazzetta, a Mesolithic burial site was found. Under a shelter formed by a boulder, a Mesolithic hunter who lived about 8.000 years ago was buried with all his rich funerary objects.
The excellent conservation of the skeleton and other organic remains is something incredible, unique for this altitude, where normally only flint or a few other materials are preserved.
The artefacts and the remains of meals found in Mondeval gave answers to many questions about Mesolithic hunters, in fact their presence in the high mountains was still unknown until the 1980s.
The study of grave objects allowed to reconstruct the social organisation and symbolism associated with funeral rites, highlighting how sophisticated flaking techniques may have led to the development of specialists and new indicators of social prestige.
The skeleton is still object of scientific studies to gain a better understanding of the way of life of these hunter-gatherers. The following discoveries of the Val Rosna burial and the Similaun mummy have confirmed the regular presence and occupation of the Alpine arc by prehistoric humans. So Mondeval de Sora represents a key site for understanding the strategies of occupation and exploitation of mountain areas during the Early Holocene.
