Prato Mollo is one of the largest moraine basins in the Ligurian Apennines. A number of pedunculated and finned arrowheads, typologically attributable to the Copper Age/Ancient Bronze Age, have been found here.
Multi-disciplinary research carried out in 1986 revealed levels containing many charcoal frustules, in the context of an articulated phenomenon of erosion and transport of fine materials; they testify to the thinning of the forest obtained through fires that took place between 3079 and 2472 BC. and which, precisely because they were systematically repeated at short intervals of time, could only be of anthropic origin.
Copper Age men therefore massively attacked the original silver fir forest in the summit areas, probably with the aim of thinning it out in order to increase grazing areas, which in natural conditions must have been very scarce and probably confined to the immediate vicinity of the peaks and high ridges (R. Maggi).
The 'Pietra Borghese' near Pratomollo is an imposing block of peridotite, rock rich in iron minerals and therefore with magnetic properties (one can test this by bringing a compass close and seeing the needle deviate). Its large size and this characteristic fuelled the legend that the Stone was a meteorite fragment that fell from the sky.
Today, we know that its origin is quite different, it is quite similar to that of rocks scattered all over the area, such as the 'Lightning Rock' (above the R.N.O. of the Agoraie), which due to its similar composition tends to attract lightning.
(Photo: ©Parco dell’Aveto)