Dolmen di Montalbano

The area of Montalbano di Fasano is characterised by several gullies, called lame. Along one of this intermittent watercourse, in the locality Pisco Marano, stands one of the most important evidence of the megalithic culture: the dolmen of Montalbano, a building which consists of two calcareous slabs on the sides, bearing a beam to cover it.

The dolmen probably dates back to the first Bronze Age, around 2000-1500 BC. It has still a solid structure, although alternations over the centuries, including the recent loss of the dromos, the corridor to enter the monument. There are several hypotheses about its functions: maybe used for magical or religious rituals, or for stargazing or for the worship of the dead. According to one of the most reliable hypothesis, dolmens (literally “stone slabs”, from the Breton language dol = slab and men = stone) were sacrifice altars. For other scholars, instead, were simple, but impressive tombs. In this way, the dolmen of Montalbano may represent one of the first evidence of the worship of the dead in the surrounding area.

The monument is also known as Tavola dei paladini.