Dolmen della Chianca

Very characteristic megalithic monument, the most famous of Bisceglie. It is worth taking a tour to see it

The building was discovered by the archaeologists Francesco Samarelli and Angelo Mosso on August 6, 1909, in the locality of "la Chianca" in the territory of Bisceglie, in an area a few kilometers away from the Pulo di Molfetta, very close to a long and deep valley called "lama di Santa Croce ", full of caves that were the seat of human frequentation in several phases. The first excavations were conducted by the discoverers at the time of the discovery and were continued by the archaeologist Michele Gervasio in the last months of 1910. When the dolmen was discovered the local farmers had already removed everything before the excavations, even if some traces of the piles of stones and the earth that covered the building were evident to the eyes of archaeologists.

In the cell were found animal bones, fragments of small vases and some stone knives dating back to around 1200 - 1000 years BC, six skeletons of adults and children arranged in a disorderly way, and two skeletons in a crouched position. Some blackish crockery, a bronze pendant and a jug were found in the dromos. The finds were acquired by the archaeological museum of Bari, where they are currently preserved.
Since its discovery, the Chianca dolmen has always been the subject of study by authoritative scholars from all over the world.
On 9 June 2007, the Italian Post Office issued a 0.60 euro stamp depicting the Chianca dolmen.
On 19 May 2011, UNESCO recognized the Chianca di Bisceglie dolmen as a "Heritage witness to a culture of peace for humanity".