Riparo Mesa Rosa

Riparo Mesa Rosa rock art site

Riparo Mesa Rosa is a small limestone rock shelter characterized by minimal overhang. The ground, largely rocky, slopes outward and downward toward the perimeter. Within the central section of the wall, a thin layer of earthy deposit bears traces of recent fireplaces. Thick veils of concretions and white crustose lichens adorn the decorated wall. Adjacent to the shelter lies a small cave, its black paintings heavily altered. Occasional use by rock climbers is noted, while local accounts, as collected by archaeologist Tommaso Mattioli, suggest past frequentation by shepherds.

In the 2000s, archaeologist Tommaso Mattioli reported to the National Archaeological Board the discovery of fragments of burned bones and pottery material, including a fragment of a miniature vase, presumed to date back to the Bronze Age, found at the foot of the rock wall where the shelter is situated. Additionally, nearby on a rocky ledge stands a frescoed depiction of the Madonna and Child dating to 1370, alongside remnants of a medieval hermitage.”

Riparo di Mesa Rosa (photo by Tommaso Mattioli)

Riparo di Mesa Rosa - pottery fragments from the rock shelter located at the base to the rock wall where the site is located (photo by T. Mattioli)

Riparo di Mesa Rosa - drawing of some fragments of pottery from the rock shelter located at the base to the rock wall where the site is located (photo by T. Mattioli)

Riparo di Mesa Rosa - fragments of burned bones from the rock shelter located at the base to the rock wall where the site is located (photo by T. Mattioli)

 

Riparo Mesa Rosa rock art figures

There are 5 black paintings discovered by archaeologist Tommaso Mattioli in April 2003. All these paintings were executed on a natural red rock surface. The figures are covered by a thick layer of semi-transparent concretion, which was later concealed by an extensive family of white crusty lichens. Additionally, one figure is covered by a recent inscription.

The most prominent figure in the rock art is a semi-schematic anthropomorph. It stands with an enlarged head depicted with a solid oval motif, arms bent at the elbow and pointing downward, a stout body, an incomplete left leg, and a right leg depicted with a vertical segment.

The rock art of Riparo di Mesa Rosa (photo by Tommaso Mattioli)

The rock art of Riparo di Mesa Rosa (after DStretch)

The rock art of Riparo di Mesa Rosa (drawing by Tommaso 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}

}