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In the Etruscan Age, Vetulonia had a wide sphere of influence and the tumulus of Poggio Pelliccia, which takes its name from the place in which it stands, was also in the district controlled by this city, along the street which led to the mineral area of Massa Marittima.

The placing of a monumental tomb of this type in this area is probably an indication of the existence of an aristocratic family who owned estates in this area: we may well be in the presence of a small rural power.

The tomb is covered by a tumulus of earth, outlined at the base by a circular wall-structure made of dry stones.

At the centre of the tumulus we find the burial room, which one entered via a long corridor divided by a door into two sections, one open-air and one covered. The roof of the tomb is constructed with a “false vault”: concentric circles of stone blocks which project out more and more as they get higher and higher, closing with the top stone placed at the summit. The actual dome, as we now know it, was invented during Roman times.

The tomb had already been violated and looted in ancient times, but fortunately it has been possible to recover part of the funeral trousseau of the various successive burials which happened between the mid-seventh and the mid-fifth century B.C.

The trousseau which has been found, kept at the Museum of Vetulonia, testifies to the high social status of the family to whom the tomb belonged. In particular, the presence of imported Greek and Oriental ceramics gives us an idea of the variety and the ample range of commercial exchange at this time.

Vetulonia, The history (Castiglione della Pescaia)

Vetulonia, Isidoro Falchi Archaeology Museum: mound of Poggio Pelliccia (Castiglione della Pescaia)

Address:
Poggio Pelliccia - Gavorrano (GR)
(How to get there: Exit the S.P. 23 to take the Vecchia Aurelia road towards Grosseto. Follow the S.P. 27 towards Ribolla. After the sub-passage under the railtrack, follow the directions to Poggio Pelliccia)


Contact:
Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche - P.za XXIV Maggio
Tel: +39 0566 846259 - Fax: +39 0566 844418
Associazione Pro Loco Tel/Fax: +39 0566 846282

E-Mail: prolocogavorrano@libero.it