A burial structure with two sarcophagi was discovered in the central part of Italy.
An Italian farmer was plowing a field near the small town of Citta della Pieve (Umbria, central part of the country) when he found a void under the plow. Archaeologists who arrived at the place of the find quickly realized that in front of them was an unbroken tomb of the Etruscans.
Etruscans are one of the most mysterious peoples in European culture. Their culture began to flourish around 900 BC. and lasted nearly five centuries. The Etruscans became famous for their art, they were good farmers, knew how to skillfully work metals and did not shy away from trade with other peoples. This is why their culture has greatly influenced their neighbors. Perhaps it was they who brought winemaking to the territory of modern France and "taught" the Romans to build their famous roads.
However, the neighbors probably became the reason for the disappearance of the Etruscans. The rise of Rome's influence coincides with the decline of a mysterious culture. This process continued until the Etruscans completely dissolved in the new Roman society. Their traces are lost in the III-II centuries. BC.
The language of the Etruscans was not part of the Indo-European family, in addition, they left almost no written evidence about themselves, and therefore historians obtained most of the information about this people as a result of excavations. The most striking examples of Etruscan art come from burials, which is why the discovery of a new tomb, especially an unbroken one, aroused the enthusiasm of archaeologists.
The tomb at Citta della Pieve is located far from the famous Etruscan necropolises, which is probably why it remained undisturbed. The burial structure consists of a dromos (corridor) and a rectangular burial chamber. The entrance to the latter was closed by double-leaf stone doors. Inside there were two sarcophagi, four marble urns and various funerary items. Unfortunately, the details of the find are still few.
It is known, however, that there are inscriptions on both sarcophagi. In one of them, archaeologists read the word "Laris". This is a common male name among Etruscans. Inside the sarcophagus was the skeleton of a man, so this name most likely belonged to the deceased. Further deciphering of the inscription (and it is quite long), as the researchers hope, will allow learning more about the deceased - for example, the names of his parents, and possibly age.
The second sarcophagus is covered with painted plaster. It also has an inscription, but it has not yet been deciphered.
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