Ancient Necropolis Loaded With Treasures Discovered Near Rome

Archaeologists near Rome’s ancient city of Tarquinia discovered an ancient Roman necropolis loaded with treasures. In 57 decorated tombs, there were 67 well-dressed skeletons wearing gold jewelry and precious stones.

The discovery was accidental, as it took place during a long excavation project for a planned solar energy plant.

The Roman necropolis occupies 52 acres of land located close to the ancient city of Tarquinia, just 50 miles (80 kilometers) northwest of Rome. The skeletal remains were found very close to ground surface, only 20 inches (50 cm) deep.

The archaeologists involved in the early stages of the lab testing say that the 67 skeletons belong to people who lived back to the second through the fourth centuries AD, a period of the rule of the Roman Empire.

The skeletons were well-preserved, the bones did not seem stressed from hard labor dressed in lavish clothes, wearing jewelry and leather footwear, while the tombs were decorated to resemble their homes.

Gold jewelry, silver engraved rings, amulets containing precious stones, elaborate terracotta pottery, Roman coins of different values, glass objects were among the findings in the tombs.

Given the lavish clothes and jewelry, such as golden necklaces and earrings, worn by the occupants and the opulent decoration of the tombs – such as wall-coverings with colorful cloth – archaeologists assume that they belong to wealthy, powerful Roman families that lived in that era. It appears that the particular cemetery was reserved for the city’s elite.

Further research and lab testing of the findings will disclose more important information about the history of ancient Rome and social norms in particular.

Ancient Roman Funerary Practices

Ancient Romans had cemeteries built outside the ritual boundaries of towns and cities,  along the roads leading to them.

The Romans placed great importance on proper ceremonial rituals to avoid having a malicious spirit rising from the underworld. Generally, there were five parts to a Roman funeral: A procession, burial or cremation, eulogy, feast, and commemoration.

In the procession there was flute music and people making loud noises. The more wealthy and famous the deceased was in life, the flashier the funeral procession would be with mimes and musicians. Professional mourners paid to participate formed a large part of the procession. In some cases female professional mourners would even rip out their hair and scratch their faces. Many such mourners signified that the deceased was a wealthy and powerful person.

In the time period the skeletons in Tarquinia were found, Romans buried their dead. The body was put in a sarcophagus without any possessions if the deceased was an ordinary person. The wealthy ones were buried with fine clothes and jewelry.

If the deceased was an important member of society or an aristocrat, the family would offer a eulogy at the funeral.