- Mariassunta Cuozzo –
foundation” experienced in the fi rst quarter of the fi fth century bc (D’Agostino 2011c).
As in the majority of the examples described, the archaeological history of the site during
the oldest phases is entrusted almost exclusively to the necropoleis: the beginning of
occupation is set around the end of the tenth and beginning of the ninth century bc at the
transition from Final Bronze Age to First Iron Age.
Until recent years, the Etruscan characteristics at Capua during the earliest phases
seemed rather attenuated with respect to the Picentine region, fi rst because of the absence of
the biconical urn and helmet-lid, usually replaced with a jar (olla) covered with a bowl, and
for the subsequent periods, by the more recent appearance of the epigraphic documentation
(second half of the sixth century bc) compared to Pontecagnano. Profound changes to this
interpretation are today prompted by the results of recent excavations in the locality of
the “Nuovo Mattatoio.” The necropolis, located to the north toward Monte Tifata, has
furnished ample evidence (approximately 400 tombs), for the most part unpublished,
representing especially the earliest phase of the First Iron Age until now lacking in the
Capuan necropoleis. The new evidence attests the presence at Capua of the biconical ossuary
and of the helmet-lid, the appearance of Villanovan types in the repertoire of swords and
fi bulae and, above all, a comprehensive adherence to forms of funerary ideology comparable
with Tyrrhenian Etruria and Pontecagnano (Fig. 16.6; Johannowsky 1996; Melandri 2011).
With respect to settlement typology, it is especially the layout of the urban necropoleis
(necropolis of Fornaci; Cappuccini; etc.; Fig. 16.6.1), that from the second half of the ninth
century bc delimits a vast area of about 200 hectares, later occupied by the city of the
historical period, which demonstrates a criterion of proto-urban organization, according
to a practice characteristic of the contemporary centers of Etruria proper. A picture of the
opening-up and cultural interaction in the Tyrrhenian region and the Mediterranean not
dissimilar to that described for Pontecagnano is restored, until late in the ninth century bc,
by the composite and diverse material culture with Greek and Near Eastern components
as well as those of Etrusco-Italic type. The emergence of hereditary aristocracies in the last
part of the First Iron Age fi nds confi rmation in the funerary associations. The repertoire of
ornaments is enriched by an exceptional local production of fi bulae in bronze, and especially
in large scale, characterized by zoomorphic and/or anthropomorphic appliqués.
In the fi nal moment of the First Iron Age (phase II C), still in the third quarter of the
eighth century bc, is dated Tomb 722 of the Fornaci necropolis (D’Agostino 2011c), a
female deposition of an extraordinary level for the quantity and quality of the offerings and
the ornamental apparatus, dated by a cup of Aetos 666 type of Pithekoussan manufacture.
It is doubtful that also belonging to this tomb group is a valuable silver urn with a scale-
pattern around the rim, a type until now known only much later, in the grave goods of
some of the main princely burials of Cumae, Praeneste, Caere. This set of offerings appears
even more surprising in contrast with the evidence of the full-blown Orientalizing period
when these vessels seem to be until now absent from the princely tombs at Capua.
It is only much later, actually within the Archaic period, with the beginning of the
sixth century bc, that the Capuan aristocracies choose to recover Etruscan paradigms for
the display of Orientalizing gentilicial (clan) power in a similar way to what happens
in other areas of interior Etruria (for example, the Chiusine region). Even today, this
phase is only known thanks to two nineteenth-century fi nds: these are the Tomba Dutuit,
distinguished by the fi nd of an extraordinary cart of Etruscan provenance, with sides
decorated in repoussé, and by a sumptuous banquet service consisting of imported
Laconian bronze vessels (Bellelli 2005).