In the second millennium BC, the area was settled by the Oenotrian-Italic population of the "Chone", who left traces of their presence both in toponyms and with devotional objects found throughout the area. Archaeological remains from the early 1st millennium are found all over the area surrounding the town. It is speculated that the area was the seat of Chone, the city Italic-Hellenic founded in Mycenaean age by Greek hero Philoctetes, mentioned by historical sources (Strabo, Apollodorus, Lycophron). Archaeological finds include Italic-Hellenic walls, amphorae, tombs and the remains of an ancient necropolis with votive statues related to the Orphic cult.