57 Tombs Containing Wealthy Roman Families and Their Riches Unearthed Across Sprawling Site Near Rome

Archaeologists have uncovered a Roman necropolis after conducting a two-year excavation at the site of a planned solar energy plant.

Knewz.com has learned that the ancient Roman site contained 57 large and ornate tombs where 67 skeletons were buried dressed in golden jewelry and expensive leather shoes.

The sprawling ancient Roman necropolis. By: Archaeologist Emanuele Giannini via CNN

Archaeologists involved in the project believe that the cemetery, located close to the ancient city of Tarquinia, around 50 miles northwest of Rome, dates between the second and fourth centuries.

The discovery has left the team astounded not only because of the amount of riches with which the bodies were buried but also because the inside of the tombs were made to resemble their homes, according to a CNN report.

Among the unexpected amount of wealth discovered at the site were silver rings with amber and engraved initials, precious stones, terra cotta pottery, coins, shiny glasses, amulets and several items of clothing.

The sprawling Roman necropolis spreads across a 52-acre section of land on the solar plant site, and according to the archaeologists, belonged to the wealthier strata of ancient Roman society.

Artifacts discovered at the ancient Roman site. By: Archaeologist Emanuele Giannini via CNN

Emanuele Giannini, the lead excavation archaeologist at the site, told CNN that historical sources suggest that many Romans would halt at this site to rest and eat. He added that although the team had a “faint idea” that there could be treasure at the site, “the magnitude of the discovery is unmatched.”

“We found several skeletons still wearing their expensive stockings and shoes… All these riches, and the fact that the bones show no sign of stress or physical labor, (leads us to believe) these weren’t local farmers, but upper-crust members of Roman families coming from cities,” Giannini said in his statement to CNN.

The team of archaeologists has theorized, based on the wide range of funerary objects found near the remains, that those buried here wanted their abode in the afterlife to resemble their own homes.

The interiors of many of the tombs are believed to have originally featured elaborate cloth linings or are said to have been surrounded and covered by tiles or terracotta pieces “like little houses.”

Archaeologists found the ancient Roman necropolis in a rather great shape. By: Archaeologist Emanuele Giannini via CNN

Archaeologists found the ancient Roman necropolis in a rather great shape, which Giannini said could be attributed to “huge limestone blocks that stick out of the ground (made) ploughing, seeding and modern farming impossible in the area.”

“It has remained untouched (for) centuries,” he told CNN. It is worth noting that the shallow tombs at the significant site were found just 20 inches below the surface.

“We are excavating a huge rural area to redevelop the land and are balancing the need to avoid ruining such unique wonders with the goal of boosting clean energy production,” Margherita Eichberg, art heritage superintendent of the provinces of Viterbo and southern Etruria for Italy’s Culture Ministry, said in a statement to CNN regarding the matter.

“This is the fascination and beauty of Italy: Each time there’s a dig, incredible wonders from the past come out of the ground which need to be preserved,” she added.

Artifacts discovered at the ancient Roman site. By: Archaeologist Emanuele Giannini via CNN

Currently, the findings from the ancient Roman site are being preserved as they are found, with CNN writing that many of the artifacts will be going on show at the castle of Santa Severa in the coastal town of Santa Marinella.

The human remains found at the site are currently undergoing analysis that will determine their precise origins and they will be put on display after forensic tests are conducted.