About 18 km from Selinunte are the ancient quarries used for the construction of the temples of Selinunte known as the Cave di Cusa. The beautiful peaceful site is surrounded by olive and orange plantations, vineyards, and ancient olive trees grow among the ruins. The quaries have not been worked since the destruction of Selinunte in 409 B.C. The various processes of quarrying may be studied, from the first incisions in the rock to the empty spaces left by the removal of completed drums for columns. A block, still attached to the rock, seems to have been intended for a capital. Around each column
			carved out of the rock a space of 50 cm allowed room for the stonemason. Close together stand four drums which have been carved for the whole of their length and await only to be detached at their bases. The large cylindrical masses of stone (3 x 2 m) were probably intended for Temple G. It is thought that wooden frames were constructed around the colums and they were transported to Selinunte on wheels of solid wood strengthened by iron bands and pulled by oxen or slaves.