Archaeologists have unearthed a burial ground with 34 tombs belonging to an ancient civilisation – including child warriors with bronze belts.
The burial site dates back over 2,200 years.
Fifteen graves were for newborns and children up to 10 years of age, as reported by CreatorZine.
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The graves, dating from the 3rd to 4th centuries BC, were excavated in Pontecagnano Faiano near Salerno in southern Italy.
The site was built by the Samnites, a group of ancient Italic tribes that began in the 9th century BC and continued into Roman times.
It was found on land formerly occupied by the ATI Alfani tobacco factory.
Organised in family groups, the burials mostly comprised of simple pits covered with roof tiles arranged in a double-pitched form.
Two graves contained coffins made of travertine stone and another had a coffin carved from tuff.
Burial artefacts reflected Samnite traditions prominent in southern Italy during the first millennium BC.
Male burials typically included weapons such as spearheads and javelin points.
Female graves contained personal ornaments including rings and brooches.
Notably, two children aged between five and 10 were interred with large bronze belts, items typically associated with adult warriors and interpreted as markers of status.
Archaeologists said the belts may indicate symbolic inheritance, family affiliation or an elevated social position within the community.
Pottery vessels were also discovered, including paterae, skyphoi and small cups likely used in funerary banquets, as well as lekythoi that probably held oils or perfumes for ritual purposes.
Excavations at Pontecagnano Faiano have been underway since the 1960s under the superintendency of archaeology for Salerno.
Discoveries continue to shed light on the daily life, trade and burial practices of the Samnite people.
The authorities plan to publish a full paper once the research has concluded.
They then intend to display the artefacts to the public.
