Ancient caves housed people 9,000 years ago

Located in the city of Matera, in the Basilicata region in the south of Italy, the Sassi di Matera (stones of Matera) are ancient cave dwellings that were designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. It is the only place in the world where people can brag about still living in the same houses their ancestors lived in 9,000 years ago.

Matera sits on a limestone plateau, featuring a magnificent abnormality: a central 70 to 80 meter deep fissure holds the Gravina river and divides the city.