The Shepherd Caves and Engravings on the Majella Mountain / I

The migration of cattle, sheep and goats has always followed valley paths or been directed towards high-altitude pastures. The latter form has become more frequent because this type of migration has not been subject to political changes that have often impeded migrations in plains. Even today there are shepherds who take the ancient route to mountain caves. The caves closer to villages, at an altitude between 500 an 1000 metres above sea level, are maintained in a better way than those at higher altitudes. The function of dry-stone walls is to prevent the livestock from getting lost after shepherds leave for their homes in the evening. These caves lack a bed and fireplace which can already be found in the caves situated at an altitude between 1000 and 1500 metres above sea level. Nevertheless, high and thick walls have never provided shepherds with a more permanent refuge. The refuge changes radically in the caves situated at an altitude between 1500 and 2500 metres above sea level. Small, quickly erected dry-stone walls are supported by netting or dwarf-pine fences. The livestock is cared for by shepherds and their dogs. In the vicinity of the pen, in the driest part of the refuge, a small stone wall hides a dwarf-pine bed and fireplace. Approximately 300 shepherd caves situated only in the Majella mountain area testify how widespread the phenomenon of this type of refuge has been, and narrate a 400-year history of the local shepherds. Their stories speak about poverty, loneliness and pain. Their heritage curses the mountain and looks forward to a return to the valley. The engravings comprising crosses, monsters from the capital in their village church, ships, houses in the distance, numerous personal and geographical names and dates, narrate the story of an ancient way of life that has disappeared only recently.