(Favignana). Pliny the Elder mentions it like this: " Insulae sunt in Africam versae: Gaulos, Melita Camerino, Lilybaeo, Cosyra, Hieronesos, Caene, Galala, Lopaduxa, ‘Aethusa’, quam alii Aegusam scripserunt " (The Islands gone round Africa are Gaulo, Malta, Camerino, Lilibeo, Cosira, Ieroneso, Cene, Galata, Lampedusa and Aethusa, which some called 'Aegusa'”(See C. Plinii Secundi “Historia Mundi”, Venezia, Antonelli, 1844: 367).
Many archaeological remains show clearly that it was inhabited in Roman times. Pietro Calcara, one of the first who studied Linosa, wrote: By poor and confused notions that have passed us the ancient historians, for me is obscure the origin of this island; however, at the time of the Roman domination it was inhabited by a few settlers who cultivated the land, which is demonstrated by the remains of small houses scattered here we note some finds in the plain located behind two mountains called 'Pozzolana' and 'Bandiera' and in several other sites The number of some water-tanks of Roman construction, amphorae, tiles, bricks and some coarse clay bronze coins confirm the hypothesis mentioned above, namely that Linosa was inhabited by men subject to the Roman Empire.
A little while ago Linosa remained uninhabited Colucci relates that before 1828 some travelers going to Linosa found three human skeletons on those mountains which, in his opinion, were the remains of men who were perhaps thrown by a storm in that island and that for lack of food miserably perished. We also know that until recently the Maltese frequently went to gather firewood in the island and to hunt the wild goats, which is confirmed by the designation of 'Herd' on a district of the island. Recently the Royal Government of the Two Sicilies, wanting to use this island, ordered the settlement of it; to that end initially were sent there 33 men April 24, 1845, then
