Archaeological discoveries in Caselle in Pittari reveal pre-Roman religious sites

Archaeologists from the University of Salerno have announced significant findings at the Laurelli archaeological site in Caselle in Pittari, Italy. Excavations conducted at the ancient Lucanian sanctuary have uncovered ritual structures, altars, and a well, providing new insights into the religious practices of pre-Roman Italy.

A key discovery includes a corpus of inscriptions referencing eight different deities, including Ceres and nymphs associated with rain and springs. These findings are scientifically notable because they provide a direct comparison to the famous Agnone Tablet. However, the inscriptions found at Caselle in Pittari date to between the late 4th and early 3rd centuries BCE, predating the Agnone Tablet by approximately a century.

The presence of fountains and channels fed by a spring suggests that water played a central role in the site's ritual activities. The results were presented at the University of Salerno's Fisciano Campus, involving the University, the ABAP Superintendency for Salerno and Avellino, and local officials.