Tomb of Orcus, Etruscan burial site in Tarquinia, Italy
The Tomb of Orcus is an underground Etruscan chamber burial from the 4th century BC in Tarquinia with two main rooms and painted walls. The chambers contain frescoes showing mythological scenes, underworld depictions, and portrait figures.
The site was uncovered in 1868 and contains artworks from two separate periods spanning several centuries of Etruscan art. The older layer dates to the 5th century BC while later additions came much later in the 4th century BC.
The walls show banquet scenes with musicians and dancers that reflect the social life of the Etruscan nobility. These depictions reveal what mattered to the ancient people and how they celebrated together.
The underground chambers are tight and require careful planning before your visit. The site has limited access for people with mobility issues and operates with restricted opening hours.
The frescoes show Tuchulcha, an Etruscan demonic figure with pointed ears and snakes, seen here in what is the only known pictorial depiction of this creature. This unusual character makes the artwork in this tomb one of a kind in ancient art.
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