Royal Relics: Archaeologists Unearth Chariot, 150 Precious Artifacts in 2,700-Year-Old Italian Prince's Tomb

In a remarkable find, archaeologists have uncovered the tomb of a prince at a 7th-century B.C. necropolis in Central Italy, revealing around 150 precious artifacts — including an ancient chariot.

The discovery, part of the ArcheoNevola research project, was led by the Department of History Cultures Civilization at the University of Bologna. Launched in 2018, this project is a collaboration with the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape (SABAP) for the provinces of Ancona and Pesaro Urbino, where the necropolis is located. The Municipality of Corinaldo has also played a significant role in the six-year-long excavation.

The project first made headlines in 2018 when archaeologists identified the "Tomb of the Prince of Corinaldo."

Recent digs at the Corinaldo Necropolis have revealed a "quadrangular pit" measuring approximately 84 square feet, situated within a larger circular ditch about 100 feet in diameter, Knewz.com reported.

This pit contained a treasure trove of ancient Italian artifacts, including an impressive collection of bronze objects.

Among the notable finds were items associated with lavish banquets, such as an iron axe and a bundle of skewers likely used for preparing meat. Decorated pottery pieces for serving food and drinks were also discovered, highlighting the opulent lifestyle of the tomb’s owner.

A statement from the Corinaldo Municipality emphasized the significance of these artifacts, suggesting the tomb belonged to a "celebrated character" of the highest rank, most likely a prince. The presence of a two-wheeled chariot and a prestigious set of bronze items, including a helmet, cauldron and finely decorated containers, further supports this theory.

Many of the artifacts are attributed to the Etruscan civilization, which thrived in Central Italy between the 8th and 3rd centuries B.C.

The Corinaldo Necropolis is associated with the Piceni people, also known as the Picentes or Picentini, who settled in the regions now known as Marche and Abruzzo. This ancient settlement prospered from the 9th to 3rd centuries B.C. before being absorbed into the Roman Republic.

Both the Etruscans and the Piceni fell victim to the expansive ambitions of the Roman Empire around the same time. The aristocratic Piceni maintained trade relations with the Etruscans, explaining the presence of Etruscan artifacts in the Corinaldo tomb. This connection lends further credibility to the theory that the tomb's owner was a prince.

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Federica Boschi, an archaeologist at the University of Bologna and a lead researcher on the project, described the 2018 excavation as uncovering an "extraordinary collection of cultural material."

Mayor Gianni Aloisi of Corinaldo hailed the discovery as a testament to the historical and cultural significance of the Nevola archaeological area, suggesting it could reshape the understanding of the region's history.

"A discovery that confirms the historical and cultural value of the Nevola archaeological area that will allow us to know, and perhaps rewrite, the history of our community," stated Mayor Aloisi.