Baylor University-led team unearths intact 2,600-year-old Etruscan tomb in central Italy

Key facts

• The San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project (SGARP), led by Baylor University, discovered an undisturbed Etruscan chamber tomb at the San Giuliano necropolis approximately 70 kilometres northwest of Rome.
• The sealed tomb dates to the 7th century BC and contains the remains of four individuals laid on carved stone beds surrounded by over 100 grave goods including ceramic vases, iron weapons, bronze ornaments, and silver hair spools.
• The excavation operates under Italy’s Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the Virgil Academy in Rome and the town of Barbarano Romano.
• Since 2016 Baylor University students have participated in the excavation through the ‘Archaeology Research in Italy’ study abroad programme, gaining hands-on experience in stratigraphic excavation and artifact documentation under Italian heritage law frameworks.