Sanzeno, Iron Age archaeological site in Val di Non, Italy
Sanzeno is an archaeological site in Val di Non containing excavated structures and remnants of a Rhaetic settlement from the later Iron Age. The digs reveal dwelling places, pottery, and objects from everyday life in this ancient community.
The site was the center of the Fritzens-Sanzeno culture, which existed from around 500 BC until the Roman conquest under Emperor Augustus in 15 BC. This culture shaped the region and its people for roughly 500 years.
The finds show connections between the Rhaetic people and their neighbors from the Veneto, Etruria, and the Celtic regions, while the houses and pottery reflect local traditions. Visitors can see how these different influences blend in the objects discovered at the site.
The Museum Retico next to the site displays many of the excavated objects and explains the Rhaetic culture with detailed information and images. Visiting both the grounds and the museum together provides a fuller understanding of this ancient world.
Numerous inscriptions in an alphabet developed by the Rhaetic people themselves were discovered at this location. These written records offer rare glimpses into the language and thinking of this ancient population.
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