Historically, the origins of the Vulture area are very ancient: the area was already inhabited in the Neolithic period, as evidenced by the remains of a necropolis found near Rapolla. The first real civilisations settled in the area between the 8th and 7th centuries BC. These were the Daunians, followed by the Samnites (4th-3rd centuries BC). Numerous traces of the presence of pre-Roman civilisations are displayed in the Melfese National Archaeological Museum.