Orientalising
Tumulus
The tumulus is the most monumental and recognisable tomb type at Banditaccia: a mound of earth on a circular tufa base, which could enclose several tombs from different generations of the same family.
Construction technique
Tumulo circolare con basamento in blocchi di tufo, camera funeraria scavata nella roccia e ricoperta da un cumulo di terra con calotta emisferica.
Typical features
Circular base carved into the tufa bedrock, sometimes with a moulded torus; up to 40-60 metres in diameter for the largest tumuli.
Funerary practices
Several members of the same family were buried in successive chambers, echoing the layout of Etruscan houses.
Did you know?
A single tumulus could contain several tombs opened at different times, so its visible form in the landscape represented family continuity, prestige and memory.