A 4,500-year-old skeleton of a warrior has been found on an Italian beach almost intact.


Archaeologists have found the skeleton of a warrior from up to 5,000 years ago floating in a tomb filled with sea water on a beach near Rome. Photo: Sabatini/F3 Press
The bones of a man were found with an arrow embedded in the ribs of the upper chest prompting speculation he had been killed in battle.

However adding to the mystery is the fact that he was found buried along with several ceramic jars and other flint arrow heads suggesting he was given a burial.

Officers from the carabinieri's cultural section spotted the skeleton during a fly over of a beach at Nettuno, south of Rome, an area already well noted for its archaeological discoveries.

During the flight officials noted a hole in the ground which they believed could have been a tomb and they were proved right when colleagues sent to the area found the bones.

The skeleton, which was put on display at the cultural section's headquarters in Rome, has been named Nello - the name of the archaeologist who discovered him.

Nello was found in May but details have only just been revealed to allow a proper excavation of the site and prevent grave robbers from being attracted to the area.

Raffaele Mancino, of the cultural division, said: "We have special equipment on the helicopter but also have trained eyes and when the hole on the beach was spotted we immediately thought it was a tomb.

"It was fascinating to see the skeleton of Nello emerge from the ground and at first we thought it was that of a Roman solider, but then the experts identified it as dating back to the third millennium B.C.

"The skeleton is just below 1.7 metres in length and was found intact apart from the feet which were probably washed away by the sea and the grave was 85cm wide and oval in shape."

It is the second significant discovery of a prehistoric man in Italy. In 1991 high in the Italian Dolomites the body of Oetzi, a warrior believed to have died 5,000 years ago, was found in ice.

Responding to the new find, Marina Sapelli Ragni, superintendent of archeology for the Lazio region, said: "It is a fascinating discovery and one which has excited colleagues and myself immensely.

"It is also interesting as the skeleton was found with an arrow in the ribs suggesting he may have been killed maybe in combat or murdered but he was also found with six ceramic vases.

"Usually this would be associated with some form of official funeral ceremony but to be honest we just don't know and extensive tests will be carried out on the bones and we hope to build up a picture of what Nello's life was like 4,500 years ago."

Officials plan to carry out further examination of the area as they believe there could be other tombs and graves waiting to be found, but the beach has remained open to locals and holidaymakers.