The Etruscan Tombs of Molin Canale: A Journey into the Heart of the Necropolis
A few kilometers from Sarteano, along the road leading to the village of Castiglioncello del Trinoro, lies one of the most fascinating sites of Etruscan history. About four and a half kilometers from the town, following a sign that leads into the woods for 250 meters, you can visit three tomb structures that are part of a vast necropolis covering the entire hillside.
A Landscape of History: The Necropolis of Molin Canale
The Molin Canale area represents a section of a necropolis stretching from the hilltop, in the Solaia-Macchiapiana-Poggio Rotondo area, down to the lower slopes. The tombs located at the summit date predominantly to the Orientalizing period (7th-early 6th century BCE), while the structures found further downhill, in the Molin Canale area, date to the late Hellenistic age (2nd century BCE).
Archaeological investigations of this necropolis have a long history. Many tombs were excavated in the last century and during the post-war period, but in 1996, the local archaeological group Etruria uncovered three tombs of particular interest due to their diverse architectural styles.
Three Tombs, Three Distinct Types
The three visitable Etruscan tombs at Molin Canale, although contemporary, showcase a unique variety of construction and functionality:
- Corridor tomb with niches:
This structure features a long corridor with small niches arranged on multiple levels. The niches, originally sealed with tiles, housed the funerary deposits. At the end of the corridor is a chamber with a carved doorway, a characteristic element of Etruscan funerary architecture. - Chamber tomb with side rooms:
At the center of this tomb is a main chamber flanked by two side rooms. This type suggests a more complex conception of funerary spaces, likely designed to accommodate multiple burials. - Tomb with loculi along an open-air corridor:
The third structure stands out with 39 loculi arranged along an open-air corridor nearly 14 meters long, without a rear chamber. Each loculus housed a burial within an olla. This tomb represents an important transitional phase between Hellenistic Etruscan funerary architecture and the Roman columbarium.
A Heritage to Discover
The Molin Canale tombs are a precious fragment of the rich Etruscan heritage that characterizes the Sarteano area. Their state of preservation and architectural variety offer a unique glimpse into the funerary practices of a civilization that left an indelible mark on the history of central Italy.
A visit to Molin Canale is a journey through time, an opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and history of one of the most fascinating civilizations of the past.
