New finds in ancient Italian necropolis reveal elite tomb

Archaeologists from the University of Bologna have managed to discover and partially study a tomb that is part of a larger necropolis located in Ancona Province, Italy. The artifacts found raise further questions about what life in this region looked like thousands of years ago.

Ancona caught the attention of archaeologists from almost the entire world in 2018. That’s when a necropolis was discovered in Corinaldo, which gave hope for many artifacts from the very beginning. It continues to be the subject of research, which sometimes brings about new discoveries.

The latest of these discoveries is thanks to archaeologists from the University of Bologna, who discovered and partially studied a burial site that initially dates back to the 7th century BCE.

The tomb contained numerous artifacts, measuring approximately 12.5 feet by 7.2 feet. So far, 150 decorative items have been extracted, including fragments of a two-wheeled chariot, a bronze helmet, kettles, and decorated vessels. According to the archaeologists, such items unequivocally suggest that a high-ranking person was buried in the tomb.

Interestingly, the burial site dating back to the 7th century BCE should be associated with the Piceni tribe, an ancient Italic people who lived along the Adriatic coast from the 9th to the 3rd century BCE.

However, the discovered tomb contained items that are considered characteristic not only of the Piceni but also associated with the Etruscans. Although they lived around the same period, they inhabited much more northern and western areas. Researchers are unsure what this signifies, but some suggest it may indicate good trade relations between the two peoples.

"Corinaldo can proudly claim the title of the land of Princes. This discovery confirms the historical and cultural value of the Nevola archaeological area, which will allow us to understand, and perhaps rewrite, the history of our community. From the outset, this administration decided to invest significant resources in the excavation campaign and research because the importance of what is emerging, and we hope more will emerge, is truly significant," said Gianni Aloisi, Mayor of Corinaldo.