A pasta factory expansion in Italy took an unexpected turn when archaeologists uncovered a 2,600-year-old city of the dead, filled with ancient tombs and rare treasures.The necropolis was found at the Pasta Garofalo factory in Gragnano, a town near Naples, according to a news release issued by the company.The excavation was conducted between 2025 and 2026 ahead of an expansion of Pasta Garofalo's production facility, with the findings recently announced by the company in July.2,000-YEAR-OLD ROMAN RECIPES BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE — HERE'S WHAT THEY ACTUALLY TASTE LIKEThe site, which dates to the first half of the sixth century B.C., was built during the Archaic period of Mediterranean history, centuries before the rise of the Roman Empire.Pictures from the excavation show rows of stone burial chambers at the site, along with human remains, pottery and other artifacts.Archaeologists uncovered a 2,600-year-old necropolis during an expansion project at the Pasta Garofalo factory in Gragnano, Italy.(Pasta Garofalo/Marino)Several burial chambers contained rarely preserved materials, including textiles, wooden objects and woven baskets, which officials said "deepen[s] understanding of funerary practices, social organization and everyday life during the Archaic period."Officials also reported that the grave goods found at the site were "remarkable" and included Egyptian scarabs, animal-shaped amber ornaments and "silver and bronze artifacts of Etruscan origin."ARCHAEOLOGISTS REVEAL NUTRITIOUS FOOD REMAINS DISCOVERED IN ANCIENT VILLA QUARTERS"These exceptional finds testify to the central role played by the ancient territory of Gragnano within Mediterranean trade networks, serving as a crossroads connecting the Greek, Egyptian and Etruscan worlds," the statement read.The ancient burial site was discovered during excavation work conducted ahead of an expansion of Pasta Garofalo's production facility.
(Pasta Garofalo/Marino)The discovery held special significance for Pasta Garo...