Latest information about sealed Etruscan tombs – History Blog

New information on sealed Etruscan chamber tombs from the 7th century BC found in the San Giliano Cemetery near Vettelbo in central Italy this summer. A team of archaeologists and students from Baylor University found and opened the graves in the San Gilliano Archaeological Research Project (SGARP) and has been recording its contents on site.

They found four people on carved stone funeral beds, and more than 100 cemetery goods, including ceramic vases, iron weapons, bronze objects and silver hair spools. Save status is an exception. A total of 74 ceramic containers were found, almost all intact and in good condition. The bronze fibula found in the room still adheres to textiles.

“This fully sealed burial chamber represents a rare discovery of Etruscan archaeology.” [Excavation leader Dr. Davide] Zorri said. “In the hilly areas of Italy, where the SGARP team worked, the well-preserved chamber tombs of this era have never been excavated by modern archaeological techniques. This is a unique opportunity for our project to study the beliefs and burial traditions of this fascinating Roman culture.”

Preliminary analysis of grave objects shows that the buried individuals may be two male-female pairs, but further conclusions await anthropological, isotope and genetic studies.

“The SGARP team has completed the excavation of the grave, but the research and analysis of the archaeological data generated by this incredible discovery has just begun,” Zorri said.