Archaeologists working in central Italy have made a rare discovery that is helping researchers learn more about a civilisation that lived thousands of years ago. During excavations at an ancient burial site, researchers uncovered a sealed Etruscan tomb that had remained untouched for about 2,600 years. The burial chamber contained the remains of four individuals along with more than one hundred artefacts placed inside during ancient funeral rituals. Because the tomb had not been looted, scientists now have an unusual opportunity to examine burial customs from the early period of the Etruscan civilisation. Researchers say intact tombs from this time are extremely rare, especially ones that can be studied using modern archaeological techniques. This discovery is part of a larger international research project that aims to learn more about how people lived, died, and set up their societies in Italy before the Romans came.
