View of Craco from South-East that highlights the spur of marna on which stands the imposing Norman tower

The photograph portrays Craco from the South-East and shows the ruins that stand as evidence of a long history, dating back to the 8th century BC. During the Middle Ages, Craco suffered a remarkable urban expansion, first influenced by the Byzantines and then by the Normans. It was precisely an Italian-Byzantine monastic order to promote the development of agriculture in this area, an activity that gave the name to the village: Craco, derived from "Graculum," which means "small plowed field," mentioned for the first time in the document of 1060.

Cracus, ruins, Italy, abandoned village, Byzantine history, Norman history, Italo-Byzantine monks, ancient agriculture, spur of marna, 8th century BC, medieval, small plowed field, Graculum, south-east view, Basilicata