Le Cave di Cusa (o Rocche di Cusa) is an archaeological site. It is located in the Campobello di Mazara Sicilian territory, southwest of Castelvetrano, in the province of Trapani, 13 km northeast of the Selinunte ruins.
Here's what the official version of historians says:
The place is characterized by limestone quarries 2 km from the coast. They were in development from the sixth century BC until defeat by the Carthaginians in 409 BC.
There was a sudden interruption in the mining and transportation of the "drums" of the columns due to the threat that hung over the city in 409 BC. The sudden flight of masons and workers employed has led to the fact that today we can not only recognize, but also follow all the different stages of production: from the first deep circular cuts, to the finished drums that were waiting for transportation.
The procedure for obtaining the "drums" of the columns had the first circular cut in the rock. Then, after that, expanding outward, pulling the rock out of the rut with chisels, the workers created a curved cut, deepening it. The operation continued until the drum reached the desired height, after which they began to separate it, remove it with wedges, and soak it with water to swell.
Promotional video:
Now let's take a closer look at the unfinished "drums":
The upper surface seemed to be plastic. Perhaps the mass itself was not so solid earlier. This made it possible to cut such products with greater ease.
How could such a geometry be sustained with a chisel? Or was there a more complex rig?
Narrow cut on the started product. It would be inconvenient to make such a groove with a hammer and a chisel, especially with such an even geometry. More like a giant tubular drill.
The clearing distance between the breed and the product is not comfortable at all.
Attempting transportation? Rolled, and the drum split? So they left it.