6th-Century BC Picene Princely Tomb and Chariot Discovered in Italy

Archaeologists led by Stefano Finocchi have uncovered a 6th-century BC Picene funerary complex near Sirolo in Italy’s Le Marche region. Excavations carried out by ArcheoLab, with funding from the Italian Ministry of Culture and support from the regional Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape for Ancona, Pesaro, and Urbino, revealed a central princely tomb containing a two-wheeled chariot. Researchers report that the male burial also held a helmet, an axe, various weapons, and large bronze vessels sealed with ceramic lids. Adjacent to this, a noblewoman’s grave contained multiple fibulae and exceptionally well-preserved organic materials, including textiles and footwear.

The discovery offers new insights into the funerary rituals of the Picene culture. Researchers note that the burial complex is enclosed by a circular wooden palisade, identified by postholes containing ritual deposits of ceramic fragments. This distinguishes the site from other known Picene burials, which typically feature annular ditches. According to the archaeological team, this monumental complex allows them to contextually place a previously found 2020 warrior’s tomb within a larger aristocratic necropolis, expanding the understanding of regional burial practices and ritual deposits.