A vast cemetery area came to light in the suburbium of the Roman city of Grumentum during work to enlarge the National Archaeological Museum of the upper Val d’Agri (Grumento Nova). This necropolis was already known in part as the “necropolis sud-ovest” or of “S. Marco”, for its proximity to the ruins of early medieval church with three naves. It was identified in the 1980s when its use between the Republican period and the 5th century A.D. was documented.

The excavation confirmed the widespread use of cremation, with the presence of tomb groups comprising a jar, usually one-handled, and small bottles-balsamarii both in glass and terracotta, datable to between the 1st and the beginning of the 3rd century A.D. Terracotta unguentarii of the same shape, usually with blackened neck and rim, dated from the 1st century B.C. to the Tiberian period. These were associated with Italian sigillata plates, lamps of the volute type with relief decorated disc, beakers, small urns-balsamarii, glass ampullae, plain ware lagynos, small thin walled ware vase, jar with lid functioning as the cinerary urn and iron nails from the burnt wood of the funerary bed.

As regards the coins, the majority dated to the Augustan period. One (a triens, diam. 45,5 mm) dated to between 335 and 287 B.C., and was therefore contemporary with the first Roman military occupation of the area. Another dated to the second half of the 2nd century A.D. and a third to the period of Maxentius, that is the first years of the 4th century A.D. There were no silver coins and in the necropolis context the As seemed predominant.

Two fragments of a tile with a rectangular bollo were found. The stamp bore the name of Phileros slave of Titia, owner of a figulina. A limestone grave marker with an inscription, perhaps linked to a funerary monument that is yet to be excavated, was also recovered. The seven line inscription was dedicated by the parents Fabricia Quarta and L. Fabricius Anteros and by the brother or son (?) L. Fabricius Anthus to the girl Egloge Fabricia, described as small and sweet as honey, who had died at eight years of age.