The necropolis extends over a series of limestone hills at the foot of Monte Santa Croce (San Biagio Saracinisco) in a location popularly referred to as Ominimorti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
At present, two phases of frequentation are attested. The tombs of the oldest phase (6th - 5th century B.C.) are earthen pits bordered by limestone stones and chippings; the more recent ones (4th - 3rd century B.C.) are also \u201ca cappuccina\u201d with a roof and deposition surface made of ashlars and tiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The burials are all oriented east-west. The skeleton is laid in a supine position, with outstretched legs and arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The necropolis is probably pertinent to the recently identified fortified centre on the summit of the mountain, which seems to extend over the entire hill massif, controlling the eastern outlet of the Comino Valley towards Molise and thus the very important road route that connected the middle Liri Valley with the upper Volturno Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The earliest evidence of settlement dates back to the 6th century BC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The stable occupation of the site continued, apparently without interruption, until the Samnite wars and the Roman conquest. Probably on this occasion, the high ground, already naturally protected on all sides by the steep slopes of the mountain, was fortified with a first-rate polygonal wall, constituting the inward closure of the powerful defensive system of Atina and its territory, to protect and control the access route to the heart of Sannio.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The necropolis extends over a series of limestone hills at the foot of Monte Santa Croce (San Biagio Saracinisco) in a location popularly referred to as Ominimorti.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[213],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1071","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-storia"],"yoast_head":"\n