The presence in Egnatia of Peucetian and Messapian ceramics proved the initial settlement (VII cent. b.C.) of the centre in a double cultural sphere characterising respectively central Apulia and Salento.  However, the funerary sets displayed – comprising the ”trozzella”, typical Messapian vase - associated to imported attic and Corinthian ceramics, allow us to define Egnatia, as a native Messapian settlement starting from VI sec. b.C.

Protourban organization and funerary ideology of that society are highlighted, in the section, by funerary materials and sets coming from S. Vito dei Normanni, Muro Tenente, Mesagne and Cavallino.