Archaeologists Stunned to Discover a Massive Rock-Cut Tomb While Cleaning 'Queen's Tomb' at a Necropolis in Italy

In 2024, a previously undiscovered giant cubical tomb was found hidden behind the foliage located in the San Giuliano Rock Necropolis of Italy. An Italian archaeology firm called Gentili Restauri, joined hands with local authorities to carry out an expedition that eventually helped them to discover the tomb, according to Artnet. The firm and local authorities cleaned up a portion of the land and removed some overgrowth at the spot where the tomb became visible.

The Etruscan necropolis of San Giuliano dates back to the 7th century B.C.E. and is currently located near the municipality of Barbarano Romano, Central Italy. The necropolis is situated inside the Natural Regional Park of Marturanum and can only be reached by navigating through an overgrown forest. The largest tomb in the necropolis is the Queen's Tomb, measuring 46 feet wide and 32 feet high, and was constructed at some point in the 5th century B.C.E. The structure has stairs built along its sides that can take a person to the roof of the tomb. Two incomplete Dorric doors lead into two funeral chambers with benches as well.

The recently discovered tomb which has an almost cubical layout, was found near the Queen's Tomb. One of the four sides of the tomb was open to access whereas the other three sides were dug into a rock wall, according to Miami Herald. The Facebook page of Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti Paesaggio Etruria Meridionale in Southern Etruria shared images from the site and mentioned how they will inform visitors about the time when the site opens for public viewing. "This operation is proving to be fundamental to bring light to some of the previously unobvious necropolises and which will increase knowledge of the varieties of the 5th and 4th-century graves. There are more than 500 graves known so far from the 7th to the 3rd century," the post read. ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ ㅤ

As for the Etruscan period, the ancient society flourished in Italy between the 8th and 3rd century B.C.E, according to the World History Encyclopedia. There are not enough sources and materials from that period that can help experts to know extensively about the ancient civilization. No known Etruscan text has been discovered so far except for short inscription art, tombs and their contents, graffiti, and pottery. Details about the Etruscan civilization were described by Roman and Greek writers who had struggled to understand the Etruscan culture and hence, put their spin on the tales. 

However, it was deduced from all the historical records found so far that the people in the Etruscan society had a strong sense of family and heritage. They had defining symbols of rule and status and had a liberal attitude towards the rights and roles of woman in their society. People in the society also took up different occupations such as those of shepherds, priests, farmers, and more. Pictorial evidence found from the Etruscan era revealed that the society had slaves, artisans, metalworkers, merchants, potters, and people who painted the tomb.