The development of new residential areas at Policoro has touched on the vast southern necropolis of Herakleia. During the constant monitering of the building sites about 40 burials, dating to between the 4th to 1st centuries B.C., were recovered. They are typical of burials in this area, with the bodies in a supine position in either simple inhumations, “ a cappuccina” tombs or stone lined tombs. Sometimes, overlapping imbrices have been placed over the grave to form the characteristic “concertina” covering. A few cremations placed inside plain buff ware vessels were also found.
The tomb groups contain a small range of vessel forms, for example the black glaze pelike in tomb 1184 or the plain buff ware lagynos in the later burials. Also present were fragments of over-fired figurines in child burials and small bronze mirrors in some female burials. (Maria Luisa Nava)