Coccitelle Necropolis

In the Sagittario Valley, the evidence of ancient artifacts and structures dates back to the 4th century BC, a period when the Italics came into contact with the Romans. The necropolises of Coccitelle and Cava della Rena, located on the outskirts of Anversa, bear witness to this cultural encounter. One of the indigenous necropolises, recently investigated, extends on the slope opposite the new cemetery, along the road to Cocullo. This hill, now rich with olive groves, is known by the name Coccitelle, a popular term linked to the discovery of human skulls by farmers working the land. In 1996, during the construction of a tunnel, archaeologists discovered 50 stone slab tombs, preserved in excellent condition. The expansion of the sacred space, visible in the uppermost area, revealed tombs dating back to the 4th-3rd century BC, while the more recent grave goods, dating to the 2nd-1st century BC, are found on the slope area. The distribution of the mounds appears uniform: in most cases, the funerary goods were buried together with the deceased. For males, weapons and spearheads are found, while for females, grooming ornaments, ceramics, amphorae, and pottery are present. This heritage, of great historical and cultural value, allows for the reconstruction of the lifestyle of the Peligni on the border with the Marsica. Much of the artifacts are preserved in the archaeological section of the Civic Museums of Sulmona and in the archaeological documentation center of Anversa, located on Via della Grotta. Reading between the signs left by time, one perceives the story of a people who, through their funerary rites and heritage, have left us a unique testimony of their history.