Rome · 5th–3rd century BC · Manduria, Puglia, Italy
Painted tomb of a probable Messapian priestess found at Manduria in southern Italy
Tomb 17 carries two inscriptions in the Messapic language, both using the word 'thabara', which researchers read as a reference to a priestly role.
Manduria, Italy Archaeologists have found a rock-cut tomb at Manduria, in Puglia in southern Italy, that probably belonged to a woman with a priestly role. The tomb carries two inscriptions in Messapic, the language of the pre-Roman people of the Salento peninsula. It also has painted walls and images of what may be ritual objects.
The excavation was carried out by the Soprintendenza Archeologia, Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the provinces of Brindisi, Lecce and Taranto. The Italian Ministry of Culture funded the work. The results were presented on 29 October at the Soprintendenza's offices in Lecce. The superintendent, Antonio Zunno, and the mayor of Manduria, Domenico Sammarco, attended.
The team worked in two parts of the Parco delle Mura Messapiche, the archaeological park around the city's Messapian walls. Near the East Gate they continued digging a cemetery. In the southern part of the park they excavated about 180 square metres, layer by layer.
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The work traced how the city changed between the 5th and 3rd centuries BC. It showed how the fortifications developed and how urban areas related to burial areas. The team also found a road built in the 3rd century BC over ground that had earlier been used as a cemetery.
In all, the archaeologists recorded 24 burials. Many had been damaged by illegal digging. The most important is Tomb 17. It was cut into the rock and originally closed with three large stone slabs.
A priestly title on the lid
A monumental Messapic inscription runs across the outer face of the three slabs. First readings identify a woman's name, a patronymic (a name formed from her father's name) and the word 'thabara'. The researchers interpret 'thabara' as a reference to a priestly function. For the team, this points to a woman of particular religious and social standing.
A second, newly found inscription is painted in light blue on the inside of one slab. It runs to four lines and is partly damaged. It contains 'thabara' again, together with the name form Damatrioas.
That name may recall Demeter, the Greek goddess of fertility and the cycles of nature. The link is not certain. If it holds, it would add to what is known about how religion and burial practice connected in Messapian society.
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Painted meanders, a key and an incense burner
The tomb walls keep traces of painted geometric meander patterns in blue and red. The inner faces of the slabs show images of symbolic objects. One is a possible sanctuary key. In the Greek world such keys were traditionally an attribute of priestesses. Another image probably shows an incense burner used in religious rites.
The tomb had been disturbed, but some grave goods survived. They include bronze brooches, a silver ring and a silver coin from the mint of Taranto. An iron tool is still being studied.
The interpretations are preliminary. Specialists will study the inscriptions and the plant remains, and restorers will work on the tomb. The plan is to conserve the tomb where it was found. The team will also consider displaying the slabs and finds at the Archaeological Museum of Manduria.
Sources (1)
- Manduria, scoperta una tomba monumentale con iscrizioni dedicate a una sacerdotessa (ilgiornaledellarte.com)
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