Elba Island has a very ancient history. The first part of it is the prehistoric age. And this also the first part of this very peculiar journey.
- Palaeolithic. Several findings show that the Elba was inhabited in this era. In particular, several stone tools were found in the west-central part of the island, near small towns such as Lacona, Sant’Andrea, Pomonte and Procchio (many of these places are located along the so-called Anello occidentale, the coastal road from Procchio to Marina di Campo).
- Neolithic. In this case, the presence of human settlements on the island is attested by the discovery of stone and obsidian artefacts: axes, arrows and blades. One of the places where these objects have been found is monte Capanne.
- Copper Age and Bronze Age. Three are the most important traces of this period that can be found on the island: the necropolis of Rio Marina; the several prehistoric villages on monte Capanne; the megalithic Sassi ritti, four menhirs found in the area of San Piero in Campo.
According to tradition, in prehistoric times, Elba Island was inhabited by Ilvati. And this is the origin of the ancient name of Elba Island: Ilva.
Etruscan age
Image source: Di Didier Descouens – Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=11090839
