Latest news with #SanGiuliano
Fox News
2 days ago
- General
- Fox News
Italian archaeologists unveil rare 2,600-year-old tomb untouched by looters: 'Doorway to our ancestors'
Archaeologists recently unearthed a remarkable 2,600-year-old tomb in Italy — a rare find untouched by looters. The discovery was announced by the Italian Ministry of Culture on June 30. In a press release, the organization said the burial mound dated back to the late 7th century B.C., during the Orientalizing period of Italian history. The tomb is part of the Caiolo Necropolis within the San Giuliano archaeological area, some 30 miles north of Rome. The site is famous for housing other ancient burials, including the Queen's Tomb, the Tomb of the Stag and the Tomb of the Beds. The newly discovered tomb has not been officially named, but authorities emphasized its significance – especially as it remained undisturbed for 2,600 years. Its treasures included ceramic vessels still bearing paint, along with bronze ornaments. "Once the slab sealing the chamber was removed, numerous vessels immediately became visible," the ministry said in a statement translated from Italian to English. "Some [were] fine painted ceramics, such as those near the entrance – deliberately placed according to a precise ritual performed before the tomb was sealed," the statement added. "Finding an untouched tomb is incredibly rare. That's what makes this discovery so exceptional." "On the left-hand bed, a basin and several bronze ornamental elements belonging to the deceased remain in situ." The excavation was conducted under the supervision of the Superintendency of Viterbo and Southern Etruria, in partnership with Baylor University. Supervising archaeologist Barbara Barbaro said that the necropolis contains over 500 tombs, though most were looted by either ancient people or modern robbers – but not the most recent one. "Finding an untouched tomb is incredibly rare," Barbaro noted. "That's what makes this discovery so exceptional." Barbaro also said that further study on the site will be "fundamental to advancing knowledge of the ancient world." "A sealed context is crucial not only for preservation but also because it gives us a complete snapshot of life through the ritual of death," she added. "We're thrilled to have rescued this material from those who would illegally profit from it." Reflecting on the emotional weight of the find, Barbaro compared the discovery of the tomb to "a bridge to our past, a doorway to our ancestors." "This is what happens when an untouched tomb is found – it becomes a collective event," the archaeologist said. "The silence … the awe, the respect for those waiting behind that massive stone. The emotion." "We're thrilled to have rescued this material from those who would illegally profit from it," she added. "Now, it will tell a beautiful story for everyone."
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Archaeologists Opened a 2,600-Year-Old Tomb—and Found 4 People Who Time Forgot
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: A team of archaeologists scouring central Italy uncovered a fully intact Etruscan chamber tomb. The sealed chamber is likely around 2,600 years old and contains more than 100 grave goods. Bronze ornaments and delicate silver hair spools are highlights of the find. A rare discovery of a fully sealed Etruscan chamber tomb in Italy came with a bonus: more than 100 grave goods from the seventh century B.C. Located at San Giuliano—about 43 miles northwest of Rome in the hilly region of central Italy—a team of archeologists working on the San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project called the discovery one of the most significant finds in recent decades related to our understanding pre-Roman civilization, according to a statement from Baylor University. 'This completely sealed burial chamber represents a rare find for Etruscan archaeology,' Davide Zori, a professor of history and archaeology at Baylor and a principal investigator on the project, said in a statement. He added that a 'preserved chamber tomb of this age has never before been excavated with modern archaeological techniques' in the region. Once the team entered the 2,600-year-old undisturbed tomb, they found four skeletons on carved stone beds surrounded by more than 100 well-preserved grave goods, including ceramic vases, iron weapons, bronze ornaments, and delicate silver hair spools. The research project has been active in the region since 2016, uncovering over 600 tombs in the necropolis surrounding the Etruscan town, which sits atop the San Giuliano Plateau. So far, though, every other chamber tomb—defined as a tomb carved out of the rock into the shape of a small house with a pitched roof—had been previously looted. Some had been emptied of their valuables as early as the start of Roman occupation in the late third century B.C. Inside the sealed tomb, preliminary analysis suggests the four individuals buried there could be two male-female pairs, but the researchers await more conclusive results. 'The SGARP team has completed the excavation of the tomb, but the study and analysis of the archaeological data yielded by this incredible discovery is just beginning,' Zori said. The research project is a collaboration between a Baylor-led consortium of universities and Virgil Academy in Rome in partnership with the town of Barbarano Romano. The program aims to reconstruct the long-term changes in the human occupation of the plateau and surrounding hills. The team believes that the hundreds of rock-cut Etruscan tombs encircling the plateau were likely associated with the town. 'SGARP seeks to investigate the Etruscan occupation and understand the transitions that followed, including incorporation into the Roman Empire, transformation into a medieval castle, and the final abandonment of the site sometime before 1300 A.D.,' according to a project statement. Along the way, Baylor students remain intertwined in the process. 'Being part of a project that uncovered an unlooted tomb was extremely surreal,' Kendall Peterson, a senior anthropology major from San Antonio, said in a statement. 'It is something that archaeologists hope for their entire careers, and it was incredibly emotional to witness not only our professors' reactions but also the pride and excitement of the local community of Barbarano. It reminded me that we aren't just studying artifacts, we're contributing to a shared cultural heritage that still deeply matters to the people who live there today.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life? Solve the daily Crossword
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EasyJet launches new flight route to ‘underrated' Italian seaside city with stunning golden beaches & historic sites
EASYJET has launched a new flight route to an "underrated" hidden gem in Italy - are you ready to explore? Holidaymakers were thrilled to learn more about the budget airline's latest seaside destination on offer. 9 9 9 Adventurers can discover one of Italy's best kept secrets this summer - with packages starting at just £756 per person with flights and hotels included. Located in the northern Emilia-Romagna region, Rimini Riveria boasts nearly 25 miles of stunning coastline. Sunseekers will be sure to enjoy soaking up the rays at one, or many, of the breathtaking golden beaches. And, it could also make the perfect trip for any history buffs who wish to dive deeper into the area's rich past. Travellers can choose between two flights per week from London Gatwick. They have the option of checking into Hotel St Gregory Park in San Giuliano a Mare, or Milano Marittima's Grand Hotel Gallia - both of which boast four star ratings. Or, Cesenatico's five-star Grand Hotel Da Vinci is also available for those who desire an extra luxurious touch. Paul Bixby, EasyJet's chief commercial officer, said: "With sunshine and one of Italy's largest beaches, vibrant nightlife for couples and rich in history and culture, we're confident that Rimini will be popular with holidaymakers." The Emilia-Romagna region is famous for its down-to-earth, hearty food. Situated close to the sea, and countryside, local chefs have a wide variety of ingredients to choose from. A pasta dish called Strozzapreti has become one of the region's most popular meals, alongside fried seafood platers such as piadina and fritto misto. The destination is also famous for it's authentic Italian gelato which can be found at several eateries and restaurants. And, holidaymakers won't be short of activities, if lounging by the beach and pool becomes too laborious. The Fiabilandia theme park offers a fun-packed day on log flumes, rollercoasters and waterslides. 9 9 9 For those looking to learn more about the culture, nearby Ravenna is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites. Many of them date as far back at the fifth century AD. And, visitors can pay their respects to a man dubbed the "father" of the Italian language. The tomb of Dante Alighieri, an Italian poet and philosopher who wrote the Divine Comedy in Tuscan, can be found there. The best time to travel is during the spring and summer months, as the mercury tends to dip in the winter. Highs of 29C can be felt in August, and slightly cooler temperatures hovering around 22C in May. This comes as easyJet also revealed their latest flights launching from Leeds Bradford Airport with two new routes to Spain. The budget-friendly airline is adding new flights from the northern UK airport to the Spanish cities of Palma and Malaga this summer. Flights out of Leeds Bradford Airport to Palma, Majorca will be twice-weekly. One-way flights start from £24. And, an island in Africa yet to be popular with Brits has new flights from the UK and they take just a few hours. The Tunisian island of Djerba is often overlooked by UK tourists, who instead often choose to head to the Tunisian capital Tunis. But easyJet has launched a number of new routes to the island destination. Starting last year, the flights operate from London Luton and Manchester, with flights as little as £81 return. Currently popular with French and Tunisian holidaymakers, the new flights are expected to make it a popular destination with Brits too. Not only was Djerba said to have inspired Homer's Odyssey, but it was even used as a filming location for Tatooine, a planet in Star Wars. 9 9 9
