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Modern Description: Monte Giano sits on a high ridge at the end of the Platano valley overlooking the Fiumara di Muro just outside Castlegrande. It is part of a twin observation system, along with Monte Nuovo, controlling the northerly approaches to the Raia San Basile. Apart from Monte Nuovo, Monte Giano is intervisible Raia San Basile and Baragiano. Capano calls it an impianti difensivi di modeste dimensioni and it is analogous with several other smaller fortified observation centres in and around the Platano valley. These include the Guardiola, Toppo Castelluccio and previously mentioned Monte Nuovo. Even though they are not intervisible with each other they form a strong visual control network all reporting to Raia San Basile which appears to be at the centre, both geographically and defensively, of this network. The other observational link in this network is provide by Serra di Fagato, six kilometres to the south east connected by a still visible tratturo which controls access along the steep gorges of the Platano. This route leads to Buccino (Volcei) and eventually through the Sele valley to the coast and Poseidonia.

Info: Myers Lucania

Brett Andrew Myers, Visual Connectivity and Control in Ancient Lucania, MPhil thesis 2018, Univ. of Sydney

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