Archaeological excavations in the ancient Roman colony of Liternum, located in the present-day municipality of Giugliano in Campania, have brought to light new and significant remains from the Imperial era. Under the scientific direction of archaeologist Simona Formola, an extensive area of more than 150 square meters—previously protected by a ministerial decree—is being explored, revealing funerary structures of notable historical interest.
Among the most significant discoveries are two funerary enclosures that preserve large sections of their original cladding. Their walls, initially decorated in a white hue and later enriched with red details, frame a central space where a deep well has been identified, presumably used for religious ceremonies or rituals related to the funerary beliefs of the community.
A particularly noteworthy architectural element within the excavation is a quadrangular mausoleum built using the opus reticulatum technique, employing gray tuff blocks. Measuring three meters per side, it features plastered niches in its interior walls, designed to house cinerary urns, suggesting prolonged use of the necropolis over several generations.
The team of archaeologists has also documented around twenty burials distributed along the perimeter walls. These tombs correspond to various burial types used in ancient Rome: inhumations in a cappuccina tombs (covered with roof tiles arranged in a gable shape), ad enchýtrismos burials (where large ceramic vessels served as containers for the remains), and box-shaped tombs with brick structures, displaying a high degree of craftsmanship.
The material evidence found at the site allows for a chronology spanning from the late 1st century BCE to the mid-Imperial period, between the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE. The stratigraphy of the structures, along with the discovery of grave goods—including coins, oil lamps, and small ceramic vessels—provides insights into changes in funerary customs and social interactions within this Roman community.
One of the most remarkable discoveries of this archaeological campaign is a marble funerary inscription mentioning a gladiator. This inscription, which is exceptionally well preserved, constitutes a unique testimony to the perception and memory of these combatants in Roman society. Its presence in Liternum suggests that the city was home to gladiators who, after their careers in the arena, found their final resting place there.
The Superintendent of Archaeology, Mariano Nuzzo, has emphasized the significance of these findings, noting that the Giugliano territory is experiencing an extraordinary period of discoveries, first with the Tomb of Cerberus and now with this necropolis. The quality of the structures and their excellent state of preservation enrich our understanding of the history of the Liternum colony and deepen the study of the sociocultural context of the time.
The discovery also raises new questions about the spatial organization of the Roman colony, particularly regarding the layout of the ancient Via Domitiana, the road that connected southern Italy to Rome and whose margins traditionally housed necropolises and burials.
Research is ongoing, and as excavations progress and the recovered materials undergo thorough study, it is expected that knowledge about this historically significant site will expand considerably. The Superintendency has reaffirmed its commitment to the protection and dissemination of these cultural assets, ensuring that the discovered remains are preserved and made accessible to both the scientific community and the general public.
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