Saraceno mountain, Mountain site with necropolis in Mattinata, Italy
Saraceno mountain rises between 230 and 260 meters above the Adriatic Sea and consists of three connected hills with limestone rock and Mediterranean pine trees. The slopes are covered with more than 500 artificial graves carved directly into the rock.
The Daunians were an ancient people who established this necropolis in the 9th century BC by carving tombs into the mountain. This settlement became an important center for their civilization in southern Italy.
The carved tombs show how people buried their dead and what objects held meaning for them. Visitors can still see stone markers with engraved jewelry and weapons that tell stories about daily life in this ancient community.
The mountain is reached via the S.S. 89 road toward Manfredonia, where a 1-kilometer walking path leads through the archaeological area. The route is straightforward to follow and offers several viewpoints overlooking the sea.
The graves follow a distinctive shape resembling enclosed spaces and contain artifacts from peoples living far away from this region. This burial style sets this necropolis apart from other grave sites nearby.
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