2,600-year-old tomb — untouched by looters — found at park in Italy. Peek inside

Miami Herald

10-07-2025

Not too far from Rome sits the rock necropolis of San Giuliano, a site promising a unique glimpse into the ancient culture that dominated Italy before the Romans. But accessing the site hasn't always been easy. Visitors had to trek into a ravine, navigate the overgrown forest and locate the ruins.
Recently, while working to improve the site, archaeologists unearthed a 2,600-year-old tomb that sat unopened — until now.
Heritage officials began a yearslong project to clean up the archaeological park in Barbarano Romano and restore some of its more than 500 tombs. The effort started in 2023 and is continuing this summer, the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria said in a July 4 news release.
As archaeologists were excavating a section of the park, they unearthed a stone entranceway built into a massive mound. The underground pit-like entryway had a door sealed with a rock slab, photos show.
The team carefully removed the slab, lowering it to the ground to reveal a rectangular opening. Photos show this arduous yet delicate process.
Peering inside, archaeologists realized they were looking into an Etruscan stone tomb dating back about 2,600 years, officials said. Unlike many of the park's other tombs, the newfound grave was untouched by looters.
Officials also shared photos of the find in a June 27 Facebook post.
Archaeologists did not enter the tomb but, from the doorway, could see a burial chamber, the department said. On the threshold sat several delicately painted pots and jars. A large pile of pottery was visible on the ground further inside, photos show.
On either side of the doorway were funeral beds, one of which had several bronze ornaments sitting on it, officials said.
Archaeologist Barbara Barbaro described the find as extremely rare and exceptional, offering deeper insights into Etruscan culture.
The Etruscans were an ancient civilization located in modern-day Italy and reached their peak in the sixth century B.C. 'Many features of Etruscan culture were adopted by the Romans, their successors to power in the peninsula,' according to Britannica.
The team is currently documenting the 2,600-year-old tomb and will eventually excavate it, the department said.
Work is ongoing at the rock necropolis of San Giuliano. The site is in Barbarano Romano and about 30 miles northwest of Rome.
Google Translate was used to translate the news release and Facebook post from the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria.