The discovery of ancient tomb in Italy sheds light on historic trade ties

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

The latest discoveries are 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, measuring approximately 3.8 metres by 2.2 metres, contained numerous artifacts. 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. These ancient Italic people lived along the Adriatic coast from the 9th to the 3rd century BCE.

However, the discovered tomb contained items considered characteristic of the Piceni and 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.