Hellenistic Cult Site and Bronze Age Dwelling Unearthed in Italy’s Pertosa-Auletta Caves!
Archaeologists working in southern Italy have made remarkable new discoveries inside the Pertosa-Auletta Caves, revealing layers of history that stretch back thousands of years. Hidden in the Salerno province, this striking karst cave system, also known as the Grotte dell’Angelo, extends for around 2.5 kilometres and features Italy’s only navigable underground river. Evidence shows that humans have used the caves for around 8,000 years, making the site one of the most significant archaeological locations in the region.
During the 2025 excavation season, archaeologists uncovered traces of a Hellenistic-era cult site dating between the 4th and 1st centuries BCE. Built alongside the subterranean river, this sacred area appears to have been used for rituals and offerings to ancient deities, possibly connected to water or fertility.
Photo Credit: Fondazione MIdA
Among the discoveries were terracotta figurines, coins, incense burners, unguent vessels, and remains of burned plants, objects that paint a vivid picture of ritual life in the ancient world. Particularly striking finds include a large piece of amber and a terracotta head of a woman, both likely used in ceremonial practices.
The excavations also revisited an extraordinary prehistoric structure discovered in earlier years, a Bronze Age pile dwelling dating back to the 2nd millennium BCE. What makes this find truly exceptional is that it’s the only known example in Europe of a pile-built house constructed underground.
Recent work has uncovered additional sections of this dwelling, along with a rare Bronze Age chisel still attached to its original wooden handle. The remarkable preservation of organic materials, such as the wood, is thanks to the cave’s consistently humid environment.
Photo Credit: Fondazione MIdA
Samples of the timber are now being studied in laboratories to uncover more about Bronze Age construction techniques and environmental conditions from over 3,000 years ago. These studies not only reveal the skill and ingenuity of ancient builders but also highlight the cave’s unique ability to preserve fragile artefacts that would have decayed elsewhere.
The excavation is a joint project between the Central Institute for Archaeology (ICA) of the Italian Ministry of Culture and the MIdA Foundation, which manages the caves. The ICA has launched a pilot initiative to create new standards for underground archaeology, blending traditional excavation with cutting-edge conservation techniques and digital documentation.
Adding to its community impact, the project also involves local high school students, offering them hands-on experience in “speleo-archaeology.” This educational programme not only gives young people a rare chance to take part in real archaeological research but also connects them directly with the deep and fascinating history of southern Italy.