DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.786#0146
130 FIESOLE. [chap, xxxviii.
to me highly probable that this was the original fountain
on this spot, and that when it no longer answered its pur-
pose, either by falling out of repair, or by ceasing to
supply the wants of the population, it was covered up as it
was found, and the Fonte Sotterra dug in its stead. The
much greater depth of the latter favours this opinion.
No tombs remain visible on this site, though a few, I
believe, have been opened by Signor Francois.7 The hard-
ness of the rock of which the hill is composed forbade exca-
vating sepulchres in the slopes around the town; the only
sort of tomb which would have been formed on such a site
is that built up with masonry, and piled over with earth,
like the Tanella di Pitagora at Cortona, or the Grotta
Sergardi at Camuscia. If such there were they are no longer
visible. Nothing like a tumulus could I perceive around
Fiesole. Yet there are spots in the neighbourhood which
one experienced in such matters has little hesitation in
pronouncing to be the site of the ancient cemetery. All
this district, however, is too rich in agricultural produce
to admit of excavations being made.
Relics of ancient Fsesulse have at various times been
brought to light, within or around the walls of the city.
One of the most striking is the bas relief of a warrior in
the Palazzo Buonarroti, Florence, mentioned in the last
chapter, whose Etruscan inscription and archaic character
testify to the high antiquity of Fsesulse.
In 1829, a singular discovery was made here of more
than one thousand coins of Roman consuls and families ;8
but none of Etruscan character.9
1Inghirami (Mon. Etrus. I. p. 14) Bull. Inst. 1829, p. 211; 1830, p. 205.
speaks of cinerary urns found at Fiesole, There were 70 lbs. weight of silver
which had not human figures recumbent denarii—Inghirami says 100 lbs.—all
on the lids as usual. coined prior to the defeat of Catiline, 63
8 An account of them was published years B.C. Guida di Fiesole, p. 17.
by Caval. Zannoni in 1830. See also » Etruscan coins of FassuUe, though
to me highly probable that this was the original fountain
on this spot, and that when it no longer answered its pur-
pose, either by falling out of repair, or by ceasing to
supply the wants of the population, it was covered up as it
was found, and the Fonte Sotterra dug in its stead. The
much greater depth of the latter favours this opinion.
No tombs remain visible on this site, though a few, I
believe, have been opened by Signor Francois.7 The hard-
ness of the rock of which the hill is composed forbade exca-
vating sepulchres in the slopes around the town; the only
sort of tomb which would have been formed on such a site
is that built up with masonry, and piled over with earth,
like the Tanella di Pitagora at Cortona, or the Grotta
Sergardi at Camuscia. If such there were they are no longer
visible. Nothing like a tumulus could I perceive around
Fiesole. Yet there are spots in the neighbourhood which
one experienced in such matters has little hesitation in
pronouncing to be the site of the ancient cemetery. All
this district, however, is too rich in agricultural produce
to admit of excavations being made.
Relics of ancient Fsesulse have at various times been
brought to light, within or around the walls of the city.
One of the most striking is the bas relief of a warrior in
the Palazzo Buonarroti, Florence, mentioned in the last
chapter, whose Etruscan inscription and archaic character
testify to the high antiquity of Fsesulse.
In 1829, a singular discovery was made here of more
than one thousand coins of Roman consuls and families ;8
but none of Etruscan character.9
1Inghirami (Mon. Etrus. I. p. 14) Bull. Inst. 1829, p. 211; 1830, p. 205.
speaks of cinerary urns found at Fiesole, There were 70 lbs. weight of silver
which had not human figures recumbent denarii—Inghirami says 100 lbs.—all
on the lids as usual. coined prior to the defeat of Catiline, 63
8 An account of them was published years B.C. Guida di Fiesole, p. 17.
by Caval. Zannoni in 1830. See also » Etruscan coins of FassuUe, though