the Sassi of Matera in the southern region of Basilicata, Italy. The Sassi of Matera is the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem. The first inhabited zone dates from the Palaeolithic, while later settlements illustrate a number of significant stages in human history. The Sassi of Matera was listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1993.

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