Bronze Age Sarcophagus Tomb Unearthed in Valtellina – History

Archaeologists have discovered a prehistoric sarcophagus tomb in the gymnasium of a newly built primary school in the town of Berbenno di Valtellina in Lombardy, northern Italy. The tomb contains at least two people, and preliminary dating suggests it is at least 4,000 years old.

This is the first sarcophagus found in the Valtellina area, rectangular in shape and lined with stone slabs. One of the slabs is older than the tomb: it is around 5,000 years old and is a stele with several objects carved on it, indicating that it represents a male. It was probably originally part of a standing stone in a sanctuary. The tomb was originally surrounded by a stone circle and a mound.

“It is safe to say that the results of this excavation are among the most important archaeological discoveries ever made in Valtellina – says Stefano Rossi, archaeologist at the archaeological authority – Several artifacts found since the 19th century already indicated the presence of humans in Belbenno at least as far back as the Bronze Age, but these new finds push the intensive activity in the area forward by at least a thousand years. The stelae, in particular, are the most western witness of this important cultural phenomenon, dating back more than five thousand years. I thank the Municipality, which understands the importance of the site and has worked hard to address the costs and delays caused by the excavation operations. I am sure that the importance of these finds will fully compensate for the current inconveniences.”