La Tomba dei capitelli ionici di Tiati. San Paolo di Civitate (FG)
In: Archeologia Classica: 64, 2013
Permalink: http://digital.casalini.it/3123279
The Tiati necropolises are little known, because never systematically and scientifically excavated, but popular with plunderers; the exact location is not at present known, and the material is still locked in warehouses waiting to be cataloged and classified. Occasional evidence came with the accidental discovery, in 1952, of a chamber tomb, dating to the third century BC, intended to accommodate a number of deceased, which reveals the rich local society of that time. The grave goods consisted of two gold rings, a gold ring with glass paste bezel, a silver balsam pot and a pair of amphorae used for transport. Even more interesting proved to be the discovery in November 2011, following excavations conducted by myself, of another chamber tomb situated about 90 meters away from the one described above. The grave, marked by an even more imposing monumental structure, was in the form of a room divided into two naves by a central row of two pillars topped with Ionic-Tuscanic capitals, and fine figured wall-paintings dating to the last quarter of the fourth century BC. The structure and the wall-paintings find very close comparison with the chamber tombs characterized by a gabled roof found at Cumae and Capua. It has yielded a large quantity of finds, among which we may mention alabaster unguentaria, a chalcedony scaraboid engraved with a griffin, bronze decorative objects and a great abundance of pottery. This new discovery is of great importance because it indicates the presence in this area of the necropolis belonging to Daunian town, perhaps the area reserved for the burial of the aristocratic families, and there are other indications that monumental tombs yet to be discovered.