Archaeological Museum of Atina and the Comino Valley
The Archaeological Museum of Atina and the Comino Valley represents the beating heart of the area's historical memory. Located in an elegant 1920s building with a classical façade in Via Vittorio Emanuele II, the building was erected thanks to the munificence of Giuseppe Visocchi, to which it is still dedicated.
In addition to the exhibition halls, the building houses the Municipal Library, with a large section specialising in local history and archaeology. The museum's vitality is fuelled by the synergy between public authorities and cultural associations in the area, which are active in the dissemination and enhancement of heritage.
The Collection: Origins and Development
Initially housed in the Ducal Palace, the collection has grown steadily in number and quality of exhibits. The museum is not only a mirror of Atina, but of the entire Comino Valley, thanks to intensive research and excavation work conducted in cooperation with the Soprintendenza Archeologica per il Lazio.
Among the most significant contributions are materials from:
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Italic Sanctuary of Pescarola (Casalvieri).
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Necropolis of Ominimorti (San Biagio Saracinisco).
The Exhibition Route: From the Pre-Roman Period to the Samnites
Inaugurated at its current location in 1997, the route offers a comprehensive overview of the populations that inhabited the valley before the advent of Rome.
Ceramics and Trade
The museum exhibits a wide range of impasto ceramics, including:
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Alfedena“ type ribbed amphorae”.
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Olle ovoids typical of the archaic culture of the Liri Valley.
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Oinochoai (jugs) in purified clay and bucchero, testifying to flourishing trade with the Etruscan world.
The Orientalising Bronzes
Bronzes of exceptional value were found at San Marciano (8th-7th century B.C.), attesting to the presence of aristocratic elites. Although the originals are in the Pigorini Museum, faithful reproductions are on display in Atina:
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Anthropomorphic and zoomorphic pendants.
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Pierced leaf fibulae and bracelets.
The Warrior Spirit
The warrior identity of the Italic populations (such as the Samnites) clearly emerges from the local metallurgy:
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Weapons: Spearheads, iron horse bites and the characteristic sauroteres (javelin tips).
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Equipment: Metal accessories reflecting the resistance of these populations until the Roman conquest of the 293 BC.
The Necropolis of San Biagio Saracinisco
Inside the museum, two types of burials have been faithfully reconstructed to show the evolution of burial rites:
| Type of Burial | Period | Description of the trousseau |
|---|---|---|
| Tomb of the Warrior | 6th century BC. | An intact skeleton with a wealth of weapons and personal items. |
| Tomb “a cappuccina” | 4th-3rd century BC. | Double-sloping roof with tiles; essential equipment (a black-painted bowl). |
The Lapidary: Atina Romana
The transition to Roman rule transformed Atina into a populous and influential city, described by Cicero as a “praefectura florentissima”.”. The lapidary allows us to reconstruct the hierarchy and social life of the time through epigraphs and sculptures.
The gravestones tell stories of different social classes:
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Priesthood: The registration of Munnia, priestess of Ceres.
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Politics: The local quaestor Gaius Timinius Gallus.
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Philanthropy: The well-deserving citizen Tito Elvio Basila, known for donating funds for the livelihood of young people in Athens.
