Ritualità e forme di culto funerario tra VI e V sec. a.C.

In the Etruscan-Samnite settlement of Pontecagnano, the south necropolis, which formed in the sixth and fifth century, consists of distinct funerary areas reserved for élite groups. Recent excavations have allowed a complete investigation of one of these areas. The author analyzes its spatial organization and demographic composition, as well as its funerary behavior and how it changed between the beginning of the sixth and the middle of the fifth century. For instance, as regards cremation, he reconstructs the different phases of the ritual, which shows a strong Greek influence. Complex rites correlated to specific eschatological beliefs are observable in some funerary contexts. They include the manipulation of bone remains or the use of pots with pierced bottoms, or placed upside-down. Moreover, archaeological excavations have unearthed structures for the canalization and collecting of water, as well as areas in cemeteries set aside for ceremonies such as animal sacrifice and food consumption.