Accidental Discovery of a 2,400-Year-Old Burial Site

A remarkable Carthaginian necropolis, dating back approximately 2,400 years, has been unearthed in Italy during construction work for a natural gas pipeline. Archaeologists were astonished to find at least six well-preserved amphorae containing human remains, many of which are believed to belong to children.

Unearthing an Ancient Burial Ground

The necropolis, believed to be from the 4th or 3rd century BCE, was discovered along the old regional road 8, a major thoroughfare connecting the town of Sestu to the commercial district in Cagliari, Sardinia. The site, located near large retail stores and warehouses, could significantly enhance the historical understanding of Sardinia’s ancient past.

The first amphora was found in early February, prompting immediate action from the construction crew of Italgas. Upon discovery, work was halted, and an archaeologist overseeing the project was notified. Specialists from the relevant archaeological authority, led by Enrico Trudu, an expert in Phoenician and Carthaginian history, took over the excavation.

What Archaeologists Have Found So Far

“We are still in the excavation phase,” stated Trudu. “However, there is clear evidence that we are dealing with a Carthaginian necropolis.”

So far, six amphorae containing human remains—primarily those of children, though possibly some adults—have been unearthed. Additional ceramic artifacts have also been discovered and are currently being analyzed.

The burial practice observed at the site is known as enchytrismos, a method commonly used in antiquity for interring infants and young children inside amphorae or large pottery vessels. These containers were then placed in rock-cut pits, serving as makeshift coffins.

Burial Practices and Potential New Discoveries

“In enchytrismos, amphorae functioned as coffins for both children and adults,” explained Trudu. “In some cases, human remains were found scattered around the burial site, reinforcing the idea that this was a designated burial ground. Our team will continue to investigate and expand the excavation along the trench.”

The area may still hold more surprises. “This location is not far from Moriscau, another significant archaeological settlement. Given that history, we anticipated uncovering something noteworthy here,” Trudu noted.

Despite the importance of the findings, a full-scale excavation is unlikely due to the site’s location within a busy industrial and commercial zone. “Since the trench runs through a road network surrounded by warehouses, it will be impossible to explore the entire necropolis. However, we will carefully analyze and preserve the artifacts uncovered so far, forming a clearer picture of what might still lie beneath,” Trudu added.

Security Measures and Impact on Construction

To protect the site, authorities have placed it under strict surveillance, with police officers and cultural heritage protection units patrolling, particularly at night. Security cameras have been installed to prevent looting and unauthorized excavations.

Meanwhile, the gas pipeline project has been temporarily delayed to accommodate the archaeological work, though it has not been fully suspended. Workers have been reassigned to other sections of the project and will only return to the necropolis site once all significant archaeological discoveries have been documented and preserved.

This unexpected find underscores the importance of ongoing archaeological supervision in modern infrastructure projects, shedding light on ancient civilizations hidden beneath today’s urban landscapes.