The remains of an Etruscan home dating back more than 2,400 years have been found at an archaeological site at Vetulonia, near Grosseto [Tuscany]. The find, hailed as the best of its kind in Italy, is important because it is very unusual to find an Etrusan home, let alone an almost intact one. Most of our knowledge about the Etruscans comes from their tombs.
From coins found in the house archaeologists have been able to surmise that the house collapsed in 79 BC during wars provoked by the Roman dictator Lucius Cornelius Sulla. Other items discovered by the archaeologists include: a pitcher used as a container for grain, an olive press, pieces of plates painted black and pieces of vases. The original flooring of crushed earthenware plaster was also discovered. Experts think that the house belonged to a wealthy family.
Simona Rafanelli, Director of the Vetulonia Archaeological Museum, says that the house has much to teach modern scholars about Etruscan construction techniques. Ms Rafanelli says that the house will eventually be reconstructed and turned into an open air museum.
