The necropolis of Macchiabate, in use between the end of the 9th and the 4th century B.C., was excavated between 1963 and 1969 by Paola Zancani Montuoro. About 150 tombs were dug, all being inhumations covered by small piles of stones. Most of the tombs were arranged in groups, forming large tumuli comprising tens of burials, probably belonging to the same family or clan. However, some depositions seemed to be in an isolated position, away from the large tumuli. The most important of these isolated burials was the Strada tomb (Strada 1), one of the earliest in the necropolis, in which an imported Phoenician bronze cup was found. The definition of the relationship between tomb Strada 1 and the rest of the necropolis is at the centre of the University of Basle’s research. To this end, excavations began in the area denominated “Strada”, situated north-west of the tomb of the same name.

During the 2010 campaign, a female burial datable to the second half of the 8th century B.C. was excavated. The tomb (Strada 4) was oval in plan (circa 3.2 × 2.6 m), cut into natural, its sides and floor lined with cobbles. The stone fill was partially disturbed but the burial did not appear to have been robbed. The tomb group comprised elements relating to dress (bronze studs, very fragmentary iron fibulae) and personal ornament (over 100 amber beads, bronze double-spiral pendants and spiral finger-rings). Artefacts relating to wool working were also present; at least three spindle whorls and two loom-weights. By the feet were two jars in a well-levigated ware, one undecorated and the other decorated with a “curtain” motif, inside which was a ladle. Several silver-gilt fragments, probably the remains of a cup, were found by the cranium.