Marche Breaks

Until recently our knowledge of the early peoples of the Marche was hazy and often drew upon the unreliable writings of early Roman historians. A series of important archaeological investigations has now helped to increase our understanding of the early history of the area.

The most important of the tribes who first inhabited the region in any numbers were the Piceni, who lived on the eastern seaboard of the Marche. Up in the mountains their place was taken by the Umbri tribes who also dwelt in the neighbouring region now known as Umbria. here are various theories about the origins of the Piceni who settled in the area between the 9th and 10th century BC. Some suggest they came from the Balkans, arriving by sea, while others believe they were a group of Sabines from Marsica who, legend recounts, were guided here by a woodpecker, still today the official symbol of the Marche region.

They lived in small tribal villages, in huts constructed with branches and low clay walls, though by the 5th Century BC they had began to build more solid houses with tiled roofs. It is possible that defensive walls found in cities such as Osimo, Urbino, Pesaro, Ascoli, Ancona and Fermo date from the 4th Century BC, when the Piceni civilisation had reached its height (language).

Archaeological excavations of around 80 necropoli in the region have brought to light important relics of the period, including bronze helmets, Greek Attic vases and metal tools, which are now displayed in several archaeological museums throughout the region. Among the most important of these collections are:

·         Ancona - Museo Archeologico delle Marche - the region's richest collection includes engraved pottery, 25 daggers from Ripatransone and an 8th century BC bronze pendant.

·         Arcevia - Etruscan bronzes, ceramics, jewellery and statuettes from excavations at nearby Montefortino.

·         Ascoli Piceno - Museo Archeologico Statale - a large collection which traces links between the Piceni tribes and neighbouring civilisations.

·         Cingoli - Museo Archeologico Statale - vases and tools from local excavations.

·         Cupra Marittima - Antiquarium Comunale - 1000 exhibits from the pre-Roman civilisation include a 6th century AD bronze Piceni helmet.

·         Fano - Museo Civico Archeologico Malatestiano - Red Attic pottery (5th Century BC).

·         Fermo - Museo Archeologico Antiquarium - exhibits include an 8th century BC bronze fibula and bronze statuettes of animals (6th Century BC).

·         Fossombrone - Museo Civico Vernarecci - bronzes and clay statues (6th-4th Century BC).

·         Numana - Antiquarium Statale - remains of two chariots from a 6th Century BC necropolis and a red Attic vase (4th Century BC).

·         Osimo - Civica Raccolta d'Arte e Lapidario - exhibits include 5th century BC red Attic vases and early metal implements.

·         Pesaro - Museo Archeologico Oliveriano - relics from the early iron age necropolis at Novilara include engraved limestone stele.

·         Ripatransone - Museo Civico Archeologico Bellini - well-preserved collection pottery and metal objects from the Piceni civilisation.

·         San Severino Marche - over 4000 exhibits from the pre-Roman period including a 7th Century BC bronze helmet.

·         Sassoferrato - Museo Civico Archeologico - bronze statuettes of gods (6th-2nd Century BC).

·         Tolentino - Museo Civico Archeologico - a large collection of local finds includes a 7th-6th Century bronze necklace.