Riparo dello Schioppo

Riparo dello Schioppo rock art site

Riparo di Schioppo is a rock shelter formed by a limestone fault plane with minimal overhang, situated behind the medieval village of Lo Schioppo (or ‘scoglio’, derived from Latin ‘scopulus’ and Greek σκόπελος skopelos, ‘watchtower’ or ‘rock’ or ‘promontory’ or ‘crag’, which most likely came from σκοπέω skopeo, ‘I look’, ‘I contemplate’, ‘I consider’; this place name refers to the large rocky wall decorated with rock art that overlooks the village). The rock wall exhibits a smooth surface with numerous layers and concretion flows. Molds, mosses, and crusty lichens, particularly where water leaks occur, contribute to erosion and blackening in certain areas. The soil consists of colluvium rich in limestone fragments”

The medieval settlement of Lo Schioppo centers around the parish church and is characterized by a prominent tower house with a dovecote, likely serving defensive and lookout purposes in ancient times. In proximity to the village, a fulling mill (valchiera) operated until the late 19th century, harnessing the waters of a abundant spring and serving neighboring villages as well.

Riparo dello Schioppo (photo by T. Mattioli)

Riparo dello Schioppo (photo by T. Mattioli)

 

Riparo dello Schioppo rock art figures

There are 31 paintings in black and 1 in red, along with several engravings including a cross and various geometric grids. Some of the painted figures are partially obscured by dry-stone wall structures leaning against the wall, while others are superimposed on one another.

Interestingly, water, typically scarce in rock art sites across the peninsula (with a few exceptions such as Grotta di Val de Varri and Grotta dell’Arco di Bellegra in Latium), is present here in the form of small seasonal water outcrops from the vertical wall

Riparo dello Schioppo rock art (photo by T. Mattioli)

Riparo dello Schioppo rock art (photo by T. Mattioli)

Riparo dello Schioppo rock art (photo by T. Mattioli)

Riparo dello Schioppo rock art (photo by T. Mattioli)

Riparo dello Schioppo rock art (photo by T. Mattioli)

 

References

@article{RN22,

title = {L'arte rupestre preistorica e protostorica dell'Umbria},

author = {Tommaso Mattioli},

url = {https://www2.muse.it/pubblicazioni/7/46/vol2/08%20Mattioli.pdf},

year  = {2012},

date = {2012-01-01},

urldate = {2012-01-01},

journal = {Preistoria Alpina, Museo Tridentino Scienze Naturali},

volume = {46},

number = {II},

pages = {155-163},

abstract = {This paper presents four new prehistoric rock art sites recently discovered in Umbria (Cen- tral Italy). The chronology of these figures, based on iconographic comparison, is ranging from Neolithic to Copper age. The landscape analysis of sites provides other information about patterns in place selection.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@book{RN13,

title = {L'arte rupestre in Italia centrale : Umbria, Lazio, Abruzzo},

author = {Tommaso Mattioli},

url = {http://www.columbia.edu/cgi-bin/cul/resolve?clio7293493},

isbn = {9788887594997},

year  = {2007},

date = {2007-01-01},

urldate = {2007-01-01},

pages = {230 p., 16 p. of plates},

publisher = {Ali&no},

address = {Perugia},

series = {Quaderni di protostoria},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {book}

}