Crestaulta

Crestaulta is a Bronze Age archaeological site on a hill near Lumbrein with multiple layers of ancient settlements stacked over time. The excavated remains show where people lived and built structures, revealing the pattern of occupation from the earliest to the latest periods.

The site was occupied from around 2000 to 1600 BC and shows how settlements changed over many centuries in the mountains. An archaeologist discovered and excavated it between 1935 and 1938, bringing these early mountain communities to light for the first time.

The site reveals how people in the mountains created pottery with distinctive shapes and decorations specific to their time. These ceramic objects show us the daily lives and connections of the early communities who lived high in these valleys.

The site is reached through hiking trails near Lumbrein, with the best season being summer and early autumn when snow has cleared and paths are passable. The area is rural and remote, so visitors should prepare for basic conditions and plan for longer walks through the landscape.

Nearby graves of women were discovered containing personal items like sewing needles, pendants, and decorated arm rings left with the deceased. These finds offer rare glimpses into the lives of women in these early mountain communities.