In the heart of Pavia, along the ancient route leading to Piedmont and the Alps, archaeologists have uncovered a historic site that is reshaping our understanding of the Lombards in Italy.
A Royal Burial Ground Hidden for Centuries
During the 7th century AD, King Aripert I established the first royal family mausoleum in the capital, intended to house the burials of his sons and heirs until the early 8th century. This marked a significant shift in burial practices for the Lombards, distinguishing them from other Germanic traditions and signaling a new era in royal funerary customs.
The First Necropolis in a Royal Church
This necropolis, the first of its kind excavated within a royal church, played a crucial role in Lombard culture. Unlike other Germanic burial sites, it represented a transformation in how rulers were laid to rest.
In the 10th century, Queen Adelaide, wife of Emperor Otto I of the Holy Roman Empire, commissioned the construction of an imperial monastery on the site. Later, in the 15th century, this was replaced by the Basilica of San Salvatore, which still stands today.
Since 2017, a team of experts from the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, led by Professor Caterina Giostra, has been conducting in-depth research to uncover the secrets of this necropolis. The project, supported by the Swiss foundation Plus Patrum Lumen Sustine, has enabled meticulous excavation using advanced technology.
Unveiling Over 20 Medieval Tombs
Archaeologists have uncovered more than twenty remarkably well-preserved tombs from the early medieval period in the small nave adjacent to the modern church. Among these, one of the oldest features a striking red cross painted on its surface—a rare and mysterious symbol.
According to Professor Giostra, these tombs likely belonged to individuals of high social status. Interestingly, many of them were reused over time, suggesting that human remains were exhumed and repositioned as part of burial rituals. This practice may have served to create space for additional burials or to recover symbolic objects associated with funerary customs.
Monastic Graves Above Royal Tombs
Above the elite Lombard tombs, researchers identified a second layer of simpler burials—those of monks who lived at the site during the late Middle Ages. This discovery was complemented by the identification of an underground passage connecting the monastery’s cellars to a central well, ensuring a steady water supply.
The excavation team has employed cutting-edge tools, including drones, 3D photogrammetry, and forensic analysis, to document and preserve the findings. Collected samples will undergo further examination at the Laboratory of Anthropology and Forensic Odontology (LABANOF) at the University of Milan, under the direction of Professor Cristina Cattaneo.
These investigations will be complemented by ancient DNA analysis to determine biological profiles, possible familial relationships, gender, social status, diet, and lifestyle. Additionally, researchers will explore whether the buried individuals were native to the region or had genetic ties to Northern European populations, as seen in other Lombard necropolises across Italy.
This groundbreaking discovery sheds new light on the history of the Lombards and their burial practices, offering invaluable insights into a civilization that shaped medieval Europe.
