Abitare e seppellire a Volterra tra il periodo tardo-villanoviano e l'Orientalizzante

The recent excavation campaigns in the Colombaie area, located in the south-western side of Volterra, allowed to identify a Late Orientalizing/Early Archaic necropolis. Thus far, two chamber tombs, both covered by mounds, had been found, while the excavation of a third similar tumulus is still to be completed. Furthermore, researches highlighted evidences of an earlier frequentation with part of a domestic structure, dating back to Late Villanovan – Early Orientalizing period, according to the related pottery. These findings are to be added now in an overview of the oldest Volterra’s Etruscan settlement and it demonstrates that in the Late Orientalizing period the Colombaie area, as well as other outskirts, previously occupied by residential structures, were abandoned or converted into funerary spaces. From this time onwards, the settlement of Volterra continued getting organized especially on the highest zones of the hill.