Pasta plant expansion uncovers 2,600-year-old necropolis in Gragnano

A planned enlargement of the Pasta Garofalo pasta factory in Gragnano, a town close to Naples, led to the discovery of an extensive Archaic-period necropolis dating to the early sixth century B.C. The burial complex includes rows of stone chambers holding human skeletons, pottery, textiles, wooden objects and woven baskets, alongside exotic grave goods such as Egyptian scarabs, animal-shaped amber ornaments and silver and bronze artifacts of Etruscan origin.

Officials said the assemblage underscores the ancient settlement’s position within Mediterranean trade networks linking Greek, Egyptian and Etruscan cultures. The company highlighted the find as a new chapter in its centuries-long connection to Gragnano’s pasta-making tradition, with CEO Massimo Menna noting the pride and responsibility it engenders. Ongoing scientific work will focus on osteological analysis to reconstruct the diet, mobility patterns and living conditions of the people who inhabited the area during the Archaic era. The discovery follows other recent Italian necropolis finds, reinforcing the region’s rich archaeological landscape.