The Culture of High Altitude Mountain Settlements in the Sibillini History and Recipes

This study offers a perspective on the changing use and social significance of the Sibillini mountains over time.  Interestingly, taking a historical overview provides a kind of intellectual framework for perceiving today’s demand that mountains offer increasing tourist and health related activities, provide a refuge, and an environment for counter urbanization.

This study is the first investigation of most of these high altitude communities, and the only study written in English.  Charting the creation and demise of the self-sufficient shepherd communities - which until recently endured longer than the history of Christianity to date - offers a platform for examining the effects of climate change, and documenting the disappearance of what was a unique indigenous way of life.  Eight case studies of high altitude communities are presented here, investigating the past, present, and future.  It appears to be the first document which includes social/political observations regarding the uniqueness of these settlements, largely attributed to the evolution of a culture in a remote, high altitude location often exemplified by the mentality of the shepherd.