DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.786#0175
158 VOLTERRA.—The City. [chap. xl.
chamber; but here are at least forty or fifty urns—the
ashes of a family for several generations.
" The dead above, and the dead below,
Lay ranged in many a coffined row."
Such is said to be the general character of the sepulchres
on this site. Their form is often circular;2 while in
Southern Etruria that form is rarely found, the oblong or
square being prevalent. No tomb with painted walls has
ever been discovered in this necropolis. Some, however,
of a singular description have been brought to light.3
Tomb of the Cecim.
In this same part of the necropolis, as long since as
1739, was discovered a tomb of the Cecina family, illus-
trious in Roman annals. As described by Gori, who must
have seen it,4 this tomb was very like the Grotta de' Mar-
mini, but on a larger scale. At the depth of eight feet
below the surface, was found an archway, of beautiful con-
struction, opening on a passage lined with similar masonry,
2 Gori (Mus. Etr. III. p. 93) says the colate through the roof and walls. The
tombs of Volterra are more frequently vases are generally placed between the
square than round, and are sometimes urns, or in front of them, if there be
even triangular. Inghirami says they not room at the side, and the mirrors
are generally circular, especially when are also laid in front. Inghir. IV. p. 83.
small, but quadrangular when large When the body was not burnt, as usual,
(Mon. Etrusc. IV. p. 80); and he gives it was laid on the bare rock. Sarcophagi
a plate of one with four square chambers were very rarely used.
(IV. tav. 16). Gori asserts that the 3 A tomb was found in this necropolis,
roofs are often formed of a single stone in 1738, which was supposed, from the
of enormous size, sometimes supported numerous pots, pans, and plates within it,
in the middle by a pillar hewn from the to have been an Etruscan kitchen—some
rock. The entrances generally face the of the pots being full of the bones of kids
west. Testimony, unfortunately, is our and of little birds. MS. description,
only authority in the matter. A second cited by Inghirami, Mon. Etrus. IV.
tomb is sometimes found beneath the p. 90. But these must have been the
first, says Inghirami (IV. p. 94). In relics of the funeral feast; a pair of gold
the centre of the floor of the tomb, there earrings in an urn was hardly consistent
is often a hole, probably formed as a with the idea of a kitchen,
receptacle for the water that might per- « Gori, Mus. Etr. III. pp. 94, 95.
chamber; but here are at least forty or fifty urns—the
ashes of a family for several generations.
" The dead above, and the dead below,
Lay ranged in many a coffined row."
Such is said to be the general character of the sepulchres
on this site. Their form is often circular;2 while in
Southern Etruria that form is rarely found, the oblong or
square being prevalent. No tomb with painted walls has
ever been discovered in this necropolis. Some, however,
of a singular description have been brought to light.3
Tomb of the Cecim.
In this same part of the necropolis, as long since as
1739, was discovered a tomb of the Cecina family, illus-
trious in Roman annals. As described by Gori, who must
have seen it,4 this tomb was very like the Grotta de' Mar-
mini, but on a larger scale. At the depth of eight feet
below the surface, was found an archway, of beautiful con-
struction, opening on a passage lined with similar masonry,
2 Gori (Mus. Etr. III. p. 93) says the colate through the roof and walls. The
tombs of Volterra are more frequently vases are generally placed between the
square than round, and are sometimes urns, or in front of them, if there be
even triangular. Inghirami says they not room at the side, and the mirrors
are generally circular, especially when are also laid in front. Inghir. IV. p. 83.
small, but quadrangular when large When the body was not burnt, as usual,
(Mon. Etrusc. IV. p. 80); and he gives it was laid on the bare rock. Sarcophagi
a plate of one with four square chambers were very rarely used.
(IV. tav. 16). Gori asserts that the 3 A tomb was found in this necropolis,
roofs are often formed of a single stone in 1738, which was supposed, from the
of enormous size, sometimes supported numerous pots, pans, and plates within it,
in the middle by a pillar hewn from the to have been an Etruscan kitchen—some
rock. The entrances generally face the of the pots being full of the bones of kids
west. Testimony, unfortunately, is our and of little birds. MS. description,
only authority in the matter. A second cited by Inghirami, Mon. Etrus. IV.
tomb is sometimes found beneath the p. 90. But these must have been the
first, says Inghirami (IV. p. 94). In relics of the funeral feast; a pair of gold
the centre of the floor of the tomb, there earrings in an urn was hardly consistent
is often a hole, probably formed as a with the idea of a kitchen,
receptacle for the water that might per- « Gori, Mus. Etr. III. pp. 94, 95.