Dorim Necropolis

The surprising finds near the town of Amorosi, about 30 miles (48 kilometers) northeast of Naples, include 88 burials in “pit graves.” Among them there are both men and women. The former, as a rule, were buried with weapons, while for the latter, bronze jewelry was placed in the graves – bracelets, pendants, fibula brooches, as well as amber and processed bone fragments. Archaeologists excavating also discovered Numerous clay vases of various shapes placed in graves, often at the feet of the dead.

Scientists say the burial site was located in the area occupied several hundred years later by the Samnites, who were frequent enemies of the early Romans and later settled 160 kilometers away in 753 BC during the Iron Age. The Romans were very aggressive and waged constant wars with their neighbors, including against the Etruscan city-states and other Latin-speaking peoples. In the 4th century BC, they waged a series of wars against the Samnites, who lived mostly in the Apennine mountain region southeast of Rome, eventually defeating them and assimilating the people after 290 BC.

This place was founded at least 2,800 years ago / Photo by Italian Ministry of Culture/Terna

Archaeologists believe that the people who founded the necropolis belonged to the “pit grave” culture that existed throughout much of central and southern Italy during the Iron Age.

The necropolis was discovered by chance while surveying the area ahead of the construction of a new power plant. The plant was designed to power the high-speed railway between Naples and the city of Bari on Italy’s Adriatic coast.

Excavation process / Photography Ministry of Culture/Terna

In addition to the pit graves, there are two large mounds with a diameter of approximately 15 meters in the necropolis. They most likely cover the tombs of elite members of ancient society.

The mounds are now the only visible sign of the necropolis and have been known for thousands of years, but recent excavations have only now revealed many of the tombs around them.

Finds found in the graves / Photograph Ministry of Culture/Terna

Finds found in the graves / Photograph Ministry of Culture/Terna

Finds found in the graves / Photograph Ministry of Culture/Terna

The graves, artifacts and human remains they contain will now be examined in a laboratory to be established in the area.