Pontecagnano: 34 burials dated to 4th–3rd century BC uncovered

Pontecagnano: 34 burials dated to 4th–3rd century BC uncovered

Preventive archaeological surveys are ongoing across Pontecagnano Faiano ahead of public works and private building projects. In the area of the former ATI Alfani factory, a new sector of the southern necropolis was fully investigated, revealing a substantial group of burials.

Key findings from the excavation include:

• Number of graves: 34 burials dated to the 4th–3rd centuries BC;
• Child burials: 15 graves attributable to infants and children (approximately 2–10 years old);
• Tomb types: mainly pit graves covered with double-pitched tile roofs; two travertine coffins and one tuff coffin also documented;
• Grave goods: typically Samnite items: weapons (spear/javelin points) in male burials and jewelry (rings, fibulae) in female burials; bronze belts — usually markers of adult male graves — occur only in two children’s burials;
• Ceramics: when present, limited to one or two banquet-related vessels (paterae, skyphoi, small bowls) and containers for oils or perfumes (lekythoi).

The necropolis appears organized by family groups and reflects consistent funerary customs for the investigated period. These excavations form part of broader protective and survey activities throughout the municipality.

Next steps: overall results and recovered materials will be released once fieldwork is completed to ensure proper conservation. Subsequent valorization actions will be planned to make the finds and the new knowledge accessible to the local community.