1017

Title

1017

Description

General Structure: The tumulus is a roughly circular mound with a diameter of approximately 15 m and is on the Via della Necropoli. There is only one chamber tomb in the tumulus, and it has a central, rear chamber cut into the rock further into the tumulus, and two antechambers on the left and right side of a small dromos (approximately 2.75 m long). The two antechambers are no longer covered by rock or earth due to collapsing of the structure in this frontal zone. The central chamber is still covered and has a rock-cut ceiling with a carved beam running the length of the centre of the ceiling. There seem to be rock-cut steps on the left side of the tumulus that could have allowed access to the top of the tumulus or at least the higher area on the side of the tumulus. To the right of the tumulus, there is another tomb with a more rectangular rock-cut façade. This smaller tomb is not directly connected to the larger, main tumulus, but it is cut into the same bedrock outcrop, so it gives the impression of an annex, although it is probably a completely separate tomb. Left Side Chamber: The left antechamber (approximately 3.22 × 2.30 m) has at least one rock-cut funerary bed (approximately 2.30 × 0.85 m) on the right side of the chamber. The rim of the bed is raised slightly higher to show a frame. The left side of the antechamber is not well preserved and is covered by soil and vegetation, so it is unclear if there was another sepulchral bed. There looks to be a bench at the rear of the chamber that is the same height of the bed. Almost the entirety of the front wall is missing except for a small piece near the dromos. The original height of the chamber is uncertain due to soil build up and the lack of a ceiling but the height from the top of the bed to the probable original ceiling is 1.11 m. The doorway seems to have been around 0.92 m and there is a tuff block in front that may have been used to seal the doorway. Right Side Chamber: The right antechamber (approximately 2.33 × 2.07 m) has a carved, ogival niche in the wall that adjoins with the inner tumulus. This chamber is also not well-preserved and is covered by soil and vegetation. It is probable that it was similar to the left side chamber. Central Chamber: The central chamber is entered through an ogival, rock-cut door (approximately 1.12 × 0.73 m) at the end of the dromos (which was probably 5 m in length). The depth from the current dromos level to the chamber floor is 0.65 m. The chamber is oblong (approximately 4.70 × 2.78 m) and has two rock-cut sepulchral beds on the left and right side of the chamber with a connecting rock-cut bench behind them at the back of the chamber. The bed on the right side has a different form from that on the left: the rock is cut as to create walls and a pediment-like headboard, similar to a sarcophagus. The right bed is approximately 2.40 × 0.70 m and the walls of the bed create a recessed area with a depth of 0.40 m. There is no footboard on this bed and it is unclear if there ever was. The left sepulchral bed (approximately 2.65 × 0.95 m) is flat but has carved details like the raised bedframe around the bed surface, a semi-circular carving at the area of the head, and the circular top of the legs of the bed. The central beam goes from the entrance to the rear of the chamber and is 0.24 m wide. Façade: The other important aspect of the tumulus is the stairs on its left side. Although it is common for the sides and front of tombs to have lateral and vertical straight cuttings from quarrying activities, these seem to be cut purposefully to allow for a person to ascend the tumulus. The three visible steps measure, in ascending order, heights of approximately 0.60 m, 0.65 m, and 0.55 m. The two lower steps have a depth of approximately 0.64 m. Tomb Annex on the Right: There seems to be one, central chamber (approximately 2.00 × 1.70 m) cut into the rock, accessed through an ogival door. The door faces the same direction as the door of the tumulus tomb and measures approximately 1.00 × 0.59 m. It is unclear if there are sepulchral beds in the chamber, but it is possible one or two people were buried here. The rock façade and sides of this tomb seem to have been quarried. Interpretation: The smaller chamber tomb to the right of the tumulus uses the same bedrock outcrop as the tumulus and it may have been a related project. The ogival doorway and the beam on the ceiling of the central chamber could suggest a date of the sixth century BCE. This is similar to T20 and, as mentioned in that catalogue entry, like the Tomb of the Hut (seventh century BCE), although probably slightly later. The shallow depth of the tomb also might suggest an earlier date. There are at least three beds in this tomb so there were at least three buried individuals, and probably more if there are more beds that are not currently visible. References: Steingräber, S. 2013. ‘Worshiping with the dead.’ In The Etruscan World, edited by J. M. Turfa, 655–671. New York: Routledge.

Alternative Title

n/a

Creator

Christina Monroe

Type

TUMULUS

Date

Sixth century BCE

Extent

3+

Spatial Coverage

north=42.004519; east=12.09677; elevation=91.057785

Coverage

Northwest

References

SETS #T1017. The Cerveteri Tombs Database, accessed April 30, 2026, link.