Copper Age cist tomb and stele found in Italy!
In a small town in northern Italy, an extraordinary glimpse into the ancient past has been revealed. Archaeologists working in Berbenno di Valtellina, located in the Lombardy region, have uncovered a prehistoric cist tomb dating back at least 4,000 years. This significant find not only marks the first discovery of its kind in the Valtellina area but also sheds new light on the region's ancient history.
Photo Credit: Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di Como, Lecco, Monza-Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio e Varese
The Discovery
The tomb was uncovered during construction work for a new gymnasium at a primary school. As the ground was being prepared, workers stumbled upon a rectangular stone structure, known as a cist tomb, encircled by a ring of stones. This type of burial was common in prehistoric times, where the tomb would likely have been covered by a mound, reflecting ancient burial rituals. The site dates back to the transitional period between the end of the Copper Age and the beginning of the Bronze Age, around 4,000 years ago.
Photo Credit: Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di Como, Lecco, Monza-Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio e Varese
An Intriguing Find: The Decorated Stele
What makes this discovery particularly fascinating is one of the stone slabs used in the tomb's construction. This slab is a decorated stele, an upright stone pillar dating back 5,000 years, adorned with engravings that suggest it represents a male figure. The stele is believed to have originally been part of a prehistoric sanctuary, adding a layer of sacred significance to the site. Similar steles have been found in the nearby Teglio area, but this is the first time such an artefact has been discovered west of Chiuro, expanding the known distribution of these ancient symbols.
Photo Credit: Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio per le province di Como, Lecco, Monza-Brianza, Pavia, Sondrio e Varese
A Cultural Landmark
Stefano Rossi, an archaeologist with the Superintendency of Archaeology, described the discovery as one of the most important ever made in Valtellina. He explained that while previous finds had indicated human activity in Berbenno dating back to the Bronze Age, these new artefacts push that timeline back by at least 1,000 years. "The stele statue constitutes the most western testimony of this important cultural phenomenon, dating back to over five thousand years ago," Rossi noted.
Insights into Prehistoric Life
The discovery of this tomb not only provides evidence of prehistoric funerary practices but also hints at the existence of a sacred or ritual site in the region. This aligns with other Bronze Age discoveries in northern Italy, which suggest that prehistoric communities in the area were undergoing significant cultural changes during this period. Understanding these funerary practices and the role of sacred sites is crucial to piecing together the cultural transformations of the time.
As the excavation continues, the team is meticulously documenting every aspect of the site, and there is hope that further discoveries may still be uncovered. Once the excavation is complete, there are plans to preserve and display the remains elsewhere, ensuring that the gymnasium project can proceed while also safeguarding this important piece of history.