Archaeologists discover 'tomb of the very highest rank' in 2,700-year-old Etruscan cemetery

Live Science ^ | September 24, 2026 | ristina Killgrove; edited by Laura Geggel, Laura Mondragon

[SunkenCiv]

Archaeologists have unearthed a monumental 2,700-year-old tomb at Vulci, an important ancient Etruscan town north of Rome. Despite repeated attempts by tomb robbers to loot this burial over the centuries, the tomb still contained a massive collection of grave goods, including weapons, gold and bronze plates, chariot parts, a rare pair of women's shoes, and a complete banquet set. 

The burial, nicknamed the Tomb of the Stone Chamber, was excavated this summer, according to a translated statement from the Italian Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Province of Viterbo and Southern Etruria (SABAP-VT-EM). But the discovery builds on work that French archaeologists carried out in the late 19th century. 

In 1889, archaeologist Stéphane Gsell identified the circular enclosure of the Etruscan burial mound in the cemetery at Vulci. But while Gsell delineated what he thought was the perimeter of the grave, he never found the tomb itself because he ran out of time and money to dig further.

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TOPICS: History; Science; Travel
KEYWORDS: etruscans; godsgravesglyphs; vulci

[SunkenCiv]

Archaeologists found the Tomb of the Stone Chamber in a cemetery in the ancient Etruscan town of Vulci.

Image credit: © Return to Vulci Project

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks for the link!

[SunkenCiv]

Whoops, author is Kristina Killgrove, lost the initial K in the paste.

Vulci topics from the FRchives, sorted:

• Archaeologists Open Tomb Untouched for 2,600 Years [Etruscans] [11/07/2023]
• 2,500-year-old Etruscan temple discovered in Vulci, Italy [11/20/2022]
• Tomb excavations uncover treasures of an Etruscan princess [Egyptian gold scarab] [03/11/2016]

[Adder]

Wonder if the shoes were Nikes?

[Freedom4US]

“Despite repeated attempts by tomb robbers to loot this burial over the centuries, the tomb still contained a massive collection of grave goods“

Well, they finally got ‘er done! Congratulations

[1raider1]

I also thought that. Pretty ironic statement.

[Albion Wilde]

The difference is that tomb raiders melt down, disassemble or sell their finds on the black market for personal gain. Archaeologists make their finds available through publications and displays in accredited museums or libraries, often accompanied by filmed documentary accounts, social media, or commercial media such as DVDs, so that their discoveries are seen by a wider public.

Many archaeologists also teach in universities and include students on their digs year in and year out as long as they have funding.