[3] Te first thorough scientific study on Pulicchio di Gravina (until then completely unknown among geologists and naturalists) dates back to Carmelo Colamonico (1917).

For instance, F. Virgilio (1900) briefly mentions the doline calling it "pulicchio" and incorrectly traces its origin to an unspecified "underground water erosion".

According to Virgilio, the absence of rock masses at the bottom of the doline proves that subsidence occurred due to "underground water erosion".

[4][5] Carmelo Colamonico refutes F. Virgilio's theory pointing out that the absence of rock masses at the bottom of the doline proves, instead, that the origin is due to "superficial erosion".

[6] Carmelo Colamonico argues that Pulicchio di Gravina originated mainly due to superficial erosion (and, partly, also the chemical dissolution of the limestone).

It cannot be excluded the drainage basin of Pulicchio di Gravina may have been larger than today's and it may have been reduced due to the formation of the other two nearby dolines.