Samnite Burials Excavated in Southern Italy

Archaeology Magazine ^ | March 13, 2026 | editors / unattributed

[SunkenCiv]

La Brújula Verde reports that the excavation of a necropolis in southwestern Italy by researchers from the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for the Provinces of Salerno and Avellino has revealed 34 Samnite burials dated to between the fourth and third centuries B.C. The graves were grouped by family, and most of them consisted of a pit covered with tiles arranged like a small roof. Two of the burials had chambers lined with travertine blocks, while another had a tufa chamber. Graves holding the remains of men also contained spearheads or javelin points. Rings and brooches for fastening garments were recovered from women’s tombs. Fifteen of the 34 burials contained the remains of children under the age of 10. Two of these child burials contained bronze belts, items usually reserved for male warriors. In the case of the children, the bronze belts may reflect family status or hereditary rank, the researchers concluded. For more on the Samnites, go to "Surveying Samnium."

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: ancientautopsies; genealogy; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; italy; romanempire; samnites

[SunkenCiv]

Aerial view of Samnite burial excavation, Pontecagnano Faiano, Italy

Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio di Salerno e Avellino

[SunkenCiv]

[SaxxonWoods]

I’m descended from the Samnites on my father’s side. He was born in Abruzzo. The only tribe that never surrendered to Rome, according to local history there.

[irishjuggler]

“Never surrendered” is a bit of hyperbole, I think. The Samnites were known for resisting the Roman Republic. They were “mountain people” who fought at least 3 wars against the Romans, but per historians it seems that the Samnites were conquered around 290 BC
https://www.heritage-history.com/index.php?c=resources&s=war-dir&f=wars_samnite

[SaxxonWoods]

Yeah, the locals have their own story of course. And their “passed down history” goes back a ways. Ruins just below Dad’s village are 1,500 years old. The village records are over a thousand years old. Village was moved uphill after a Duke built a castle on top of the mountain.

There’s a story about Rome sending a detachment to a Samnite village to mark the end of hostilities. The Samnites put on a play in their amphitheater about the conflict and at end the Samnite playing the lead character insulted the Romans. He was immediately killed with a spear by a Roman soldier and his angry expression was said to remain on his face after his death.

[irishjuggler]

Interesting legend!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

In the case of the children, the bronze belts may reflect family status or hereditary rank,

Or....

This is my beloved child. I could not save him in this life but I will show the gods that this child was beloved and ask that he join me in the hall of the warriors.

[Sirius Lee]

Or…kid acted up so I had to constantly whack him with this belt.