Archaeologists in Italy are celebrating the excavation of a Chalcolithic burial site near the city of Mantua. Not only the finely crafted knives and jewelry found there reveal ancient practices, but the position of the bodies in which they were buried reveals aspects of much more ancient burial rituals.
A large necropolis from the Copper Age has been discovered in the town of San Giorgio Bigarello, near the city of Mantua, on the banks of the Mincio River in northern Italy’s Lombardy region. During the Neolithic (6000-4000 BC) and Chalcolithic (4000-1700 BC) Mantua was part of the Mincio river basin.
The first tomb at the site, which dates back about 5,000 years, was excavated between November 2023 and February 2024. Archaeologists have now unearthed a total of 22 tombs, containing elaborately crafted flint daggers, arrowheads and jewelry.
Excavation of pre-Etruscan burial sites
This area is perhaps most famous for the discovery of Neolithic burials, including the so-called “.Valdaro’s lover,”, the bodies of a boy and a girl were found next to each other, apparently embracing each other. Today, 22 Copper Age tombs detail the legacy of a once resource-rich region later occupied by the Etruscans, whose influence peaked in the region in the 6th century BC.
The excavation work was carried out by Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio di Mantova (SAP). According to the report, Archio Reporter, The 22 burials were discovered about half a meter underground, and along with the weapons some necklace beads dating back to the 4th millennium BC were also recovered.
Burial from an archaeological site near Mantua, Italy. (SAP)
Evaluation of differences in copper burial dates
The tops of most tombs had been destroyed by construction and agriculture. However, Dr Simone Sestito said the remains were found in an “excellent state of preservation”, meaning that different dating measurements could be made on the ancient remains.
In addition to DNA dating, paleopathologists plan to conduct stable isotope analysis of teeth and bones to reveal dietary information and assess disease and trauma within the population. And in addition to studying the actual bodies, secrets are also derived from the way the bodies were buried. Mr Sestito said some of the graves were “disorganized”, as in the nearby Chalcolithic cemetery of Remedello (Brescia).
The location of one of the morticians, including a dagger placed near the body. (YouTube screenshot/ArchaeoReporter)
A simpler burial style
Most of the bodies recovered from the Remedello cemetery had their lower legs bent and their upper legs wrapped around their abdomens. Archaeologists therefore expected to find something similar at this new necropolis. However, this was not the case for Bigarello, which consisted of a “simple personal violation.”
Most of the dead were facing left, with their knees bent to their chest, and their heads facing roughly northwest. The lead researcher reminded that all this data was obtained from preliminary observations, but this unique burial style, combined with the discovery of necklace beads, suggests that this site is the necropolis of Remedello (Brescia). I think this suggests that it is older than that.
A skeleton containing a deposit of buried arrowheads. (YouTube screenshot/ArchaeoReporter)
italian foundation
The Copper Age culture of northern Italy formed a landscape later controlled by the Etruscans, a powerful pre-Roman civilization that inhabited ancient Etruria, including northern Lazio, Tuscany, and western Umbria in Italy. Around 800 BC, this culture founded the city of Mantua on top of a Copper Age burial site and flourished until it was conquered by the Romans in 264 BC.
And while much of Etruscan culture was eradicated at this time, much more was inherited by the emerging Roman culture. And while we often associate Romans with emperors, gladiators, straight roads, and underfloor heating, these were all Romans. Etruscan concept.
Since 22 have already been excavated, the question arises as to how many Chalcolithic Age tombs are still to be found beneath San Giorgio Bigarello.
Top image: Flint dagger discovered at the Bigarello Copper Age necropolis in Lombardy, Italy Source: YouTube screenshot/ArchaeoReporter
Written by Ashley Cowie