Italian archaeologists unveil rare 2,600-year-old tomb untouched by looters: 'Doorway to our ancestors'
The discovery was announced by the Italian Ministry of Culture on June 30. In a press release, the organization said the burial mound dated back to the late 7th century B.C., during the Orientalizing period of Italian history.
The tomb is part of the Caiolo Necropolis within the San Giuliano archaeological area, some 30 miles north of Rome. The site is famous for housing other ancient burials, including the Queen's Tomb, the Tomb of the Stag and the Tomb of the Beds.
The newly discovered tomb has not been officially named, but authorities emphasized its significance – especially as it remained undisturbed for 2,600 years.
Its treasures included ceramic vessels still bearing paint, along with bronze ornaments.
"Once the slab sealing the chamber was removed, numerous vessels immediately became visible," the ministry said in a statement translated from Italian to English.
"Some [were] fine painted ceramics, such as those near the entrance – deliberately placed according to a precise ritual performed before the tomb was sealed," the statement added.
"Finding an untouched tomb is incredibly rare. That's what makes this discovery so exceptional."
"On the left-hand bed, a basin and several bronze ornamental elements belonging to the deceased remain in situ."
The excavation was conducted under the supervision of the Superintendency of Viterbo and Southern Etruria, in partnership with Baylor University.
Supervising archaeologist Barbara Barbaro said that the necropolis contains over 500 tombs, though most were looted by either ancient people or modern robbers – but not the most recent one.
"Finding an untouched tomb is incredibly rare," Barbaro noted.
"That's what makes this discovery so exceptional."
Barbaro also said that further study on the site will be "fundamental to advancing knowledge of the ancient world."
"A sealed context is crucial not only for preservation but also because it gives us a complete snapshot of life through the ritual of death," she added.
"We're thrilled to have rescued this material from those who would illegally profit from it."
Reflecting on the emotional weight of the find, Barbaro compared the discovery of the tomb to "a bridge to our past, a doorway to our ancestors."
"This is what happens when an untouched tomb is found – it becomes a collective event," the archaeologist said. "The silence … the awe, the respect for those waiting behind that massive stone. The emotion."
"We're thrilled to have rescued this material from those who would illegally profit from it," she added. "Now, it will tell a beautiful story for everyone."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
Pre-Incan tomb with 1,000-year-old remains unearthed in Peru
Utility workers excavating trenches to expand an underground gas network in the capital of Peru unearthed two pre-Incan tombs on Thursday that are more than 1,000 years old. One of the tombs was empty while the other held the 1,000-year-old remains of an individual alongside four clay vessels and three pumpkin shell artifacts. According to archaeologist José Aliaga, the vessels' iconography and their black, white, and red colors "allow us to establish a connection with the pre-Incan Chancay culture,' which is approximately 1,000 to 1,470 years old." Aliaga told The Associated Press that the individual was found wrapped in a torn bundle, in a sitting position with his legs against his chest, and his team will continue cleaning the remains. "Lima is unique among Latin American capitals," Aliaga said, "in that various archaeological finds are unearthed during nearly every civil project." The Peruvian capital of Lima, a city of more than 10 million people, has more than 400 archeological sites from the Inca era, the 15th century, or earlier, from the pre-Inca period, according to the Ministry of Culture. Astonishingly, Thursday's discovery was not the first time Cálidda, the company that distributes natural gas in Lima, has found archeological remains. Over more than two decades of excavation work to expand the underground network, the company says it has made more than 2,200 discoveries. Last month, utility workers found a 1,000-year-old mummy of a child aged between 10 and 15 while installing pipes. Archeologist Jesus Bahamonde told reporters at the time that the workers found the trunk of a huarango tree, "which served as a tomb marker in the past." In April, archaeologists in Peru announced they found the 5,000-year-old remains of a noblewoman at the sacred city of Caral, in an area that for decades was used as a garbage dump. Just days before that, researchers carrying out excavation work in southern Peru found an ancient tomb filled with the remains of two dozen people believed to be battle victims. "It is very common to find archaeological remains on the Peruvian coast, including Lima, mainly funerary elements: tombs, burials, and, among these, mummified individuals," said Pieter Van Dalen, dean of the College of Archaeologists of Peru. Van Dalen was not involved in Thursday's discovery. On Thursday, passersby stopped in their tracks to observe the burial site, even taking out their cellphones to take a picture. "I always thought they were paths where no one had lived," said Flor Prieto, who was walking with her 7-year-old daughter. "But now I know that people older than the Incas have lived there…it feels so exciting."
Associated Press
21 hours ago
- Associated Press
Utility workers in Peru unearth pre-Incan tomb with 1,000-year-old remains
LIMA, Peru (AP) — Utility workers excavating trenches to expand underground gas networks in Peru's capital unearthed two pre-Incan tombs on Thursday. One was empty, but the other held the 1,000-year-old remains of an individual, alongside four clay vessels and three pumpkin shell artifacts. This isn't the first time Cálidda, the company that distributes natural gas in Lima, has found archaeological remains. Over more than two decades of excavation work to expand the underground network, the company says it has made more than 2,200 discoveries. According to archaeologist José Aliaga, the vessels' iconography and their black, white, and red colors 'allow us to establish a connection with the pre-Incan Chancay culture,' which is approximately 1,000 to 1,470 years old.' Aliaga told The Associated Press that the individual was found wrapped in a torn bundle, in a sitting position with his legs against his chest, and his team will continue cleaning the remains. 'Lima is unique among Latin American capitals,' Aliaga said, 'in that various archaeological finds are unearthed during nearly every civil project.' The Peruvian capital, a city of 10 million people, has more than 400 archaeological sites from the Inca era, the 15th century, or earlier, from the pre-Inca period, according to the Ministry of Culture. On Thursday, passersby stopped in their tracks to observe the burial site, even taking out their cellphones to take a picture. 'I always thought they were paths where no one had lived,' said Flor Prieto, who was walking with her 7-year-old daughter. 'But now I know that people older than the Incas have lived there…it feels so exciting.' 'It is very common to find archaeological remains on the Peruvian coast, including Lima, mainly funerary elements: tombs, burials, and, among these, mummified individuals,' said Pieter Van Dalen, dean of the College of Archaeologists of Peru. Van Dalen was not involved in Thursday's discovery. ____ Follow AP's coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at
CBS News
a day ago
- CBS News
Chicagoans deliver Aurelio's pizza to Pope Leo XIV at Vatican
Some Chicagoans made a special delivery to the first American pope: Aurelio's pizza. Pope Leo XIV, who grew up on Chicago's South Side and south suburbs, was greeting a sea of faithful in St. Peter's Square Wednesday morning for a jubilee youth event when he saw a sign in the crowd. It said, "We have Aurelio's pizza!" The pontiff leaned over and grabbed the box, helping himself to a taste of home. The Chicagoans said they did a pizza swap in the U.S. before heading to Rome. The owner of Aurelio's said it was a blessing to see his pizza at the Vatican, and he'd love to have the pope visit.
