Archaeologists discover a sealed Iron Age sarcophagus in Italy, containing a perfectly preserved skeleton
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Reported by La Brújula Verde:
The Bisenzio Project, an international and transdisciplinary initiative led by Andrea Babbi, a researcher at CNR ISPC (Italy’s National Research Council, Institute of Cultural Heritage Sciences), and a long-time collaborator of the Leibniz Center for Archaeology in Mainz, has opened a new window into the past of the archaeological site of Bisenzio. This project has provided fundamental insights into the community that inhabited this region during the Iron Age.
Located on Mount Bisenzo, near Lake Bolsena in Italy, this site has proven to be an important aristocratic center that thrived during the Orientalizing and Archaic periods (7th-6th centuries BC), contradicting earlier theories that considered it a less significant settlement at the time.
The most recent research campaign, carried out in 2024, has led to a remarkable archaeological discovery. During these excavations, archaeologists uncovered a necropolis that had escaped looters, which is an unusual event, considering the damage caused by such acts at other sites.
The research team discovered several tombs dating from the 7th century BC to the late 6th century BC. Among this funerary set, particular interest was drawn to a group of graves located in an area protected by a partially preserved stone enclosure. It is believed these tombs belonged to a noble family, based on the discovery of a large stone sarcophagus and the rich funerary items that accompanied it, which is a clear indication of the respect and devotion the family members had for their ancestors.
Among the objects found outside the sarcophagus, a bronze situla (a ceremonial vessel) stands out, carefully recovered and restored by a team of conservators. This find is highly significant due to its state of preservation and ritual importance, as these vessels were used in high-ranking ceremonies, reinforcing the hypothesis that the individuals buried here belonged to a higher social class.
What makes this discovery particularly valuable is the state of preservation of the sarcophagus, an exceptional find in the field of archaeology. The sarcophagus, made of tuff stone, was found completely sealed, and inside it, archaeologists discovered a fully preserved human skeleton. This represents a rare case, as environmental conditions typically degrade human remains over the centuries.
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