It is believed that the first people arrived in Sicily by sea as early as 20,000 BC. Most likely from Western and Central Europe. There were three tribes, the Elymians, the Sicani and the Siculi, from which Sicily gets it’s name. The Siculi were the last to arrive on the island, and were related to the Italic peoples of Southern Italy, most likely the Italoi of Calabria, the Oenotrians, Chones, Leutarni, Opicans and Ausones. Although is is possible that the Sicani were from and Iberian tribe. It is also possible that the Elymi may have origins outside Italy also. Complex urban settlements have become evident around 1300 BC.
The Phoenicians began to settle in western Sicily around 1100 BC in present day Palermo and Moyta ( an island near Marsala ). These later became under control of Carthage.
There is some evidence supporting that the Elymians originate from from an Eastern Mediterranean Society, influenced by Phonecians and Assyrians. Around 500 BC, both the Greeks and Carthaginians vied for their loyalty.
It can be verified that humans inhabited Sicily around 10,000 BC. There are cave drawings in Addaura from 8000 BC, Copper tools from 3000 BC and the presence of the Sicilian people in 1600 BC. The most recent studies infer that the Sicians were natives of Sicily. The Sicans assimilated much easier with the Greeks than the other groups.
The Sicels were from the Greek island from Sikeloi. They were an Italic people who arrived on the island between 1200 and 1000 BC. They occupied the region extending from Cape Peloro to the Peloritan and Nebrodi mountains. Some theories suggest that they came from Liguria or Latium. There language shared some characteristics to languages that evolved into Latin.
This short post is taken from Best of Sicily Magazine article on the peoples of Sicily, written by several authors. Click the link to read more.
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The Journey Home — Day 11 — Sciacca Sicily
Click here to join out Facebook group The trip to Sciacca got off to a rocky start as the van that was to take us failed to start. After about a 45 minute wait a new vehicle arrived and off we went for the roughly one hour drive. During the trip from Palermo, we were treated to excellent views of the coast, mountains and hills and valleys. As it was a Sunday, it’s hard to
Researching Sicily — “The Lady of the Wheel”
In this episode I talk to Angelo Coniglio about his family research and his book “The Lady of the Wheel”. Angelo explains naming conventions of the abandoned children and how poorly they were treated. This is a story set in Racalmuto, Sicily in the late nineteenth century. As historical fiction, it deals with a heartbreaking aspect of parenting: the practice of of leaving unwanted children in a revolving door or wheel (ruota) of a church,
Researching San Filippo del Mela Sicily
Carol Malzone talks about her 55 trips to Italy as a food writer, her trip to Sicily and finding over 100 family letters from the early 20th century. Visit Our Shop Podcast Click here to join our group on Facebook Video
Keepin’ It Real With Frankie D. Sicily and Chicago
Visit Our Shop Bob and Frank talk about his family from Sicily, Chicago roots and his website and podcast. www.italianamericanlife.org Frank Di Piero was born in Chicago and is 100% Italian origin. He has traveled to Italy many times and attended two study abroad programs in Italy, one in Roma and one in Firenze. He is the former President of The Harlem Avenue Italian & American Business Association and was on the committee to start
Born in Sicily
Visit Our Shop Bob talks to Mary Patterson about her Sicilian roots. Interesting story about 6 sisters who’s mom was born in America and returned to Sicily only to come back years later with her husband and family. Mary is the author of After Love: The Life of Anna Gennusa Far from her Sicilian homeland, Anna discovers an inner strength she never realized she possessed. Anna is determined to make this new life in a
Castellamarre Sicily Stories
Visit our shop Lenny Rizzo takes on a journey with both of his families from Castellamarre Del Golfo Sicily. Also, how they came to America and a great story about his dad in the USN. Click here to join our group on Facebook Rizzo Family Album Picture of Castellammare in 1957 My Grandmother holding me as a Baby My Uncle Peter who gave his life on transport to Sicily in 1953 My father in the
