In 2018, researchers unearthed the tomb of the “Prince of Corinaldo” in the eastern Italian province of Ancona. The grave belonged to a noble member of the Piceni society, a group that lived in the region during the early Iron Age.
Now, archaeologists excavating the necropolis have discovered another “princely tomb,” and it holds more than 150 artifacts. These relics of the Piceni people are revealing new information about their culture and their relationship with other ancient civilizations.
Archaeologists Discover A Royal Tomb In Italy
According to a statement posted on Facebook by the city of Corinaldo, archaeologists from the University of Bologna were excavating an area near the grave discovered in 2018 when they unearthed this latest tomb on July 1st. Due to the artifacts found inside, experts believe the person buried within was also aristocratic.
The tomb, which measures roughly 12 feet by seven feet, contained more than 150 artifacts. Analysis shows that the objects date back to around the 7th century B.C.E., some 2,700 years ago.
The most notable finds include a two-wheeled chariot, a bronze helmet, a cauldron, and intricately decorated vessels. Archaeologists also uncovered a bundle of skewers and an ax used to cut meat that may have been utilized during a funerary banquet for the deceased. What’s more, some of the objects in the grave are of Etruscan origin, suggesting that the Piceni people actively traded with other societies.
“The excavation yielded over 150 objects: among the most notable are a two-wheeled chariot, a helmet, several bronze objects and a quantity of ceramic impasto containers for serving food and drink, reminiscent of the banquet of the Homeric-inspired banquet. This abundance is quite typical of the Orientalizing period in this part of Italy (7th-6th century B.C.E.),” Ilaria Venanzoni, Archaeological Officer for Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape, told All That’s Interesting in an email.
Now, researchers are studying these grave goods to learn more about the culture and daily life of the Piceni society.
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What Do These Artifacts Reveal About Piceni Culture?
Nearly 3,000 years ago, the Piceni people inhabited the area along central Italy’s eastern coast. Rome annexed the territory in 268 B.C.E.
To the west of the Piceni lived the Etruscans, who were known for their impressive artistic and metalwork traditions. The recent discovery of the Piceni tomb and the artifacts within raised questions about the relationship between the ancient groups. The two cultures likely maintained a strong trade relationship throughout their history.
“Different objects come from the Etruscan world, with which the Picena aristocracy of the era entertained exchanges and relationships,” the statement explained.
Additionally, the presence of such artifacts in the Piceni tomb demonstrates a reverence for the tomb’s owner. It is likely that the deceased buried within the grave was a Piceni aristocrat or nobleman.
Historians know that Piceni society was highly militaristic and had little artistic tradition, so the discovery of these objects paints a previously unknown picture of Piceni values and artistic appetites.
Now, researchers are planning on excavating the remaining artifacts and transporting them to a local museum for additional study.
“Corinaldo can boast the title of the Land of Princes,” said Corinaldo Mayor Gianni Aloisi in the statement, noting that this discovery “confirms the historical and cultural value of the Nevola archaeological area that will allow us to know, and perhaps rewrite, the history of our community.”
After reading about the Piceni tomb found in Italy, go inside the real story of Jesus Christ’s tomb. Then, learn about the fall of the Roman Empire.