Necropolis of Amorosi

Necropolis of Amorosi

Amorosi Location of the Necropolis of Amorosi in Campania
Location	Amorosi, Province of Benevento
Region	Campania
Coordinates	41°12′52″N 14°26′54″E
Area	13.000 m2
Diameter	15 m
History
Periods	Iron Age
Cultures	Pit Grave Culture
Site notes
Discovered	April 2024
Ownership	Comune of Amorosi
Public access	No
Architecture
Architectural styles	Pre-roman

The Necropolis of Amorosi is an ancient burial site in Amorosi, Italy, located in the region of Campania. It dates to the pre-Roman era and provides insights into Italic burial practices. Excavations conducted in the 21st century, uncovered artifacts from the Iron Age, closely linked to the Samnite culture. Items such as pottery, ornaments, and weapons illustrate the social and cultural practices of early Italic communities.

The necropolis, estimated to be 2,800 years old, includes 88 pit tombs and two large grave mounds. Its burial style represents the pre-Samnites Campania culture, reflecting traditions from the Iron Age to the Orientalizing period. The site's archaeological significance demonstrates its role in tracing Italic cultural traditions prior to the Roman Era.

Location

The discovery occurred within the territorial bounds of the municipality of Telesina situated near a road construction project linked to the Naples-Bari motorway development, a major infrastructural project in the Campania region. This site is located 48 kilometres to the northeast of the regional capital, Naples, placing it within the historical and geographic context of southern Italy. This archaeological find was made in the town of Amorosi, located close to the province of Benevento. The site covers an area of 13,000 square meters. Initial evaluations revealed a large archaeological expanse situated near the Volturno River. This river is one of the principal fluvial systems in southern Italy, known for its hydrological importance and historical relevance.The Necropolis of Amorosi is located approximately 400 meters from the Volturno River. This distance is calculated from the coordinates of the necropolis to those of the river, underscoring the site's proximity to a significant waterway in southern Italy.

Discovery

The archaeological company SAP working on the Amorosi site

The site was discovered in early 2024 during excavations for an electricity power station associated with a high-speed rail project. In April 2024, the local cultural heritage authority announced the discovery to the press. Amorosi's Mayor, Carmine Cacchillo, described the discovery as "of decisive importance for the history of our culture". The excavation was a collaborative effort, supervised by the Superintendent, carried out by Terna's Archeology Unit, and executed on-site by the archaeological company SAP. Specialists, including restorers, anthropologists and paleobotanists, contributed to gathering data aimed at reconstructing as much as possible about the ancient population. Various entities made key contributions to the project. The Municipality of Amorosi provided support, while law enforcement agencies like Carabinieri protected the archaeological site. The burial mounds, long visible and recognized as ancient features, are the most prominent features remaining of the necropolis. While they have been known for centuries, the recent excavations have revealed numerous tombs surrounding them that were previously undiscovered, as reported by news outlets. The newly uncovered tombs and bodies, are currently being analyzed in a laboratory established at the excavation site, according to a statement from the authorities.

Excavation

Archaeologists finding the first tomb of the Necropolis in April 2024

The site revealed 88 pit tombs and two large burial mounds, dating from the late Iron Age to the Orientalizing period (7th-8th century BCE). The excavation yielded various artefacts, including weapons, pottery, amber jewellery, and bronze items, which provided insights into the local population's social structure and Mediterranean influences. This discovery enhances knowledge of pre-Samnite cultures in the region. It also highlights the site's strategic role in controlling trade routes and fostering cultural exchange. Despite agricultural activity obscuring much of these structures, surrounding tombs have nonetheless yielded well-preserved artefacts., including metal weapons, intricate ceramics, and other offerings meant for the deceased's journey to the afterlife. Following the initial findings during construction, a comprehensive series of archaeological excavations was initiated with the dual objectives of ascertaining the integrity and coherence of the archaeological stratigraphy, as well as evaluating the preservation state of the associated cultural deposits within their contextual framework.

Prehistory

The Volturno river in northern Italy, location of Etruscan settlements such as the Necropolis of Amorosi.

The necropolis of Amorosi in Campania is believed to have been created by Etruscans, a population that lived between the 9th and the 1st century BCE, around 2,600 years ago. The burials at the Amorosi site have been created in the area near the Volturno River, which was part of the so-called Pit Tomb Culture, a funerary tradition that characterized the region before the rise of the Samnities some decades later. Thus, the river was identified with the God Volturno. It served as a means of controlling traffic and managing trade routes, facilitating connections with Capua and the Greek cities of Campania. This strategic location prompted Etruscan settelments in the area, where they established villages and necropolises, including the one at Amorosi. Etruscan beliefs about life after death, envisioning it as an extension of daily existence and This is reflected in the vases and other feminine funerary items discovered within the Necropolis of Amorosi, which reflect the personal and domestic aspects of life that the deceased hoped to carry into the afterlife. For the Etruscan, graves were sacred spaces meant to preserve and protect life´s continuity. This connection prompted their settlement in the region, where they established villages and subsequently necropolises, including the one at Amorosi. Hence, the Etruscans regarded the grave as a sacred space to protect and preserve life's continuity, shown in the burials found during the excavations. These characteristics reveal the social organisation and spiritual beliefs of these ancient Italic populations, which are demonstrated in the Necropolis of Amorosi.

Structure and Burial practices

The Necropolis of Amorosi offers insight into the burial practices and social structure of its ancient inhabitants. The site features both individual and collective tombs, where the deceased were interred with grave goods reflecting their social status, gender, and occupation.

Male and Female Burials

Vases found in women's burials at the Amorosi Necropolis

Male graves often contained weapons such as daggers, swords, and spearheads, indicating martial roles and high status. Female graves typically held finely crafted bronze ornaments like bracelets and fibulae, pointing to roles in domestic or ceremonial activities. These burial practices highlight the gendered division of labor and the symbolic roles assigned to individuals based on their societal positions.

Vases and Ceramics

A variety of vases were discovered in both male and female graves, often placed near the feet of the deceased. These vessels likely held ritual significance, symbolizing provisions for the afterlife or the deceased’s journey to the next realm.

Monumental Mounds

Two large burial mounds were uncovered at the site, each surrounded by circular enclosures measuring approximately 15 meters in diameter. These monumental structures likely housed elite individuals, such as tribal chieftains or other prominent figures. The scale of the mounds reflects the high social status of the interred individuals, as well as the significant resources and labor invested in their construction. Additionally, the discovery of such monumental burial sites offers crucial insights into the social and religious practices of the people who built them. The scale and elaborateness of the tombs suggest that the society places significant importance on the afterlife and on rituals associated with death and rememberance.

Archaeological methods

In exploring the Amorosi Necropolis, archaeologists have used various advanced methods to analyze the layout and human remains at the site. Stratigraphy, a key archaeological technique, has helped scientists identify the sequence of burial events by examining soil layers and how they correlate with the tomb structures. This method allows for a chronological understanding of the site, with evidence of both early Campanian and Orientalizing period cultural influences. To reconstruct the burial environment and potential ritual elements, researchers conducted archaeobotanical studies by analyzing soil samples for traces of ancient plants or environmental features. This helps reveal not only the ecology around the necropolis but also any plants or organic material possibly used in funerary rites. Additionally, osteological and anthropological analyses of the skeletal remains provide details about the health, age, and social status of those interred, contributing to a broader understanding of ancient Italic social structures and lifestyles. This multidisciplinary approach integrates several scientific fields to create a comprehensive picture of ancient Campanian society.

Funerary rituals

The funerary rituals provide insight into the burial practices and cultural beliefs of the ancient inhabitants of this region. The site features both individual and collective tombs, where the deceased were often interred with grave goods that reflected their social status, gender, and occupation.

Vase containing ashes found in a tomb

Cremation and Inhumation

Early burials at the necropolis reflect cremation practices, often accompanied by offerings such as pottery, weapons, and personal items. With the transition to Roman influence, inhumation became more prevalent, reflecting changing cultural and spiritual practices. Artifacts such as jewellery, tools, and ceremonial items were carefully selected during funerary rituals to reflect the identity and status of the deceased, while their arrangement in the tombs suggests symbolic themes of transition, protection, and purification.

Symbolism of river pebbles in burial practices

At the Amorosi Necropolis, river pebbles were used symbolically in burial practices. These pebbles, often placed in graves, could represent the deceased’s journey to the afterlife. Similar to practices at other sites like the Macchiabate Necropolis, where pebbles served as platforms for bodies, these stones may have symbolized purity or marked the deceased’s passage. The arrangement of bodies on pebbles indicates a deliberate ritual to prepare the deceased for the next realm.

Palaeolithic Symbolism

In Mediterranean funerary traditions, stones and pebbles often held symbolic meanings, dating back to the Paleolithic. These stones were seen as protective barriers between the living and the dead, reflecting beliefs about the afterlife and purification. While these practices are evident in early Italian regions, further research is needed to confirm their connection to the Amorosi Necropolis. However, the presence of stones in other ancient italian burial sites, coupled with the wider Mediterranean context, suggests that the symbolic use of stones may have been a part of the mortuary rituals at Amorosi as well. These stones could have served as markers, boundary elements, or even as symbols of purification, reflecting similar practices in nearby regions during this period.

Gallery

Excavations at the Necropolis of Amorosi

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  Excavation sign placed on the day of the discovery
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  SAP archaeologists excavating at Necropolis of Amorosi
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  Archaeologist from the specialised company SAP working on a vase found in the site of Amorosi

See also

• Necropolis of Pantalica
• Archeological site
• History of Italy
• Roman burial practices

External links

• Archaeological Insights:
  • All That’s Interesting: Discoveries at Amorosi – Covers burial customs, grave goods, and the historical significance of the necropolis.
  • Heritage Daily Article on the Amorosi Necropolis – Overview of the excavation findings, including high-status burials and unique artifacts.
  • The History Blog on Iron Age Discoveries – Provides additional context and analysis on the Amorosi Necropolis and its discoveries.
• Official Sources and Research:
  • Ministry of Culture – Italy's Archaeological Heritage and Cultural Policies – Official site detailing preservation policies relevant to sites like the Amorosi Necropolis.
  • Campania Archaeological Heritage – Official site overseeing archaeological sites in the Campania region, including the Amorosi Necropolis.
  • University of Naples Federico II – Archaeology Department – Academic institution involved in research related to the Amorosi Necropolis.
• Contextual Information:
  • Orientalizing period – Wikipedia – Provides context on the cultural influences during the period, potentially relevant to the Amorosi Necropolis.
  • Samnites – Wikipedia – Wikipedia page on the Samnites, an ancient Italic people whose cultural context is related to the Amorosi Necropolis.