Iron Age Necropolis discovered in Amorosi!

In an exciting discovery, the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the provinces of Caserta and Benevento has unveiled the existence of a vast Iron Age necropolis in Amorosi, nestled within the Italian province of Benevento.

Photo Credit: Superintendency of Archaeology

This significant find emerged during the construction of a new power plant by the Terna Group, in the Valle Telesina region near the Volturno River. Spanning an impressive 13,000 square metres, excavations have revealed 88 burials attributed to the "Pit Tomb Culture," a populace predating the Italic Samnites who once inhabited Campania.

Dating back from the 8th to the mid-7th century BC, these burials provide a glimpse into the rituals and customs of this ancient society. Each resting place, whether male or female, is adorned with grave goods and funerary offerings. Males are typically interred with weaponry, while females are adorned with ornamental objects like fibulae, bracelets, pendants, and precious amber.

The richness of these grave goods suggests that those laid to rest were individuals of high status, possibly even rulers or esteemed members of their community. Among the treasures uncovered are finely decorated bronze belts and bronze-rolled vessels, artifacts of extraordinary prestige indicative of the social hierarchy of the time.

Two monumental mound burials stand out amidst the excavation, marked by substantial stone circles measuring approximately 15 metres in diameter. These monumental graves likely belong to the elite echelons of the society, possibly housing revered chieftains or leaders.

To gain further insights into the environment and lifestyles of these ancient peoples, samples of soil were meticulously collected and subjected to archaeobotanical analysis, while bone remains underwent anthropological scrutiny.

The discovery of this Iron Age necropolis not only enriches our understanding of ancient Italian civilizations but also underscores the importance of archaeological preservation and exploration.