Halls III – IV | 3 – 4

Halls III – IV | 3 – 4

On the right there is the tomb A, belonging to the founder of the family, a real Etruscan prince.

The structure of the tomb – a large chest of stone slabs – is entirely similar to that of the most important tombs in Volterra; a large container of terracotta was placed inside it, intended to contain and protect the bronze cinerary. Inside the cinerary there were some personal belongings: silver bracelets, ivory and amber necklaces, silver and gold fibulas; as well as the remains of a silver plate which must have covered the cremated remains of the deceased wrapped in a linen cloth (both still visible).

Outside there were the grave goods, which during the funeral were supposed to describe the identity of the deceased. The weapons (bronze axes, iron swords and spears), a helmet and a parade shield – used to cover the big vase – tell us of a warrior; the axe, in the Etruscan and Roman worlds, symbolizes political and military power.

The terminal of an ivory crosier (lituus), a sacrificial knife and other objects also identify the deceased as a “priest”. A sumptuous bronze equipment for the funeral banquet – among which a table and a wine glass stand out – highlight his role as head of the clan who resided near Casalvecchio.