[1] The original name of the site was linked to the word lux (light), from which lucus, or the clearing in the woods, is derived as a traditional name for an ancient sanctuary.

According to legend, the inhabitants were skilled preparers of antidotes against snake poisons and connoisseurs of the herbs of the surrounding mountains, starting with Umbro who was killed by Aeneas in the war between the Italians and the Trojans, as narrated in the Aeneid.

The acropolis on the overhanging Mount Penna was incorporated in the underlying city-sanctuary during the Samnite wars through city walls which covered an area of about 30 hectares and which were equipped with five gates.

Excavations conducted since the early seventies and from 1998 brought to light the two temples, the Italic one consisting of two cellas and the Roman era one which has three rooms.

[4] In 2003 research revealed other important finds, in particular in the area called the Sacristy the three fine statues came to light: one, which according to some scholars could be connected to the figure of the goddess Angitia, is in terracotta and from the 3rd century BC; the other two marble statues (one of Venus) are from the 2nd century BC and attributed to Rhodian workshops.