Monterozzi Necropolis ( Italian. Necropoli dei Monterozzi ) is an ancient Etruscan necropolis near the city of Tarquinia in Italy. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List along with the necropolis in Cerveteri in 2004. [one]
Necropolis of Monterozzi | |
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ital Necropoli dei Monterozzi | |
A country | Italy |
Administrative Region | Lazio |
Provinces | Viterbo |
Coordinates | |
Square | 3.27 [1] km² |
Number of | 6000 burials |
Valid status | closed |
Security status | World Heritage Site [1] |
Supervising organization | UNESCO |
Official site | link |
Content
Necropolis Description
The necropolis is located west of the city of Tarquinia on Monterozzi Hill [2] .
The necropolis of Monterozzi contains burials made in the period of the IX — I centuries BC. e., and consists of 6000 tombs , carved into the rocks and covered with earthen mounds on top. In the tombs found about 200 wall paintings , the oldest of which date back to VII century BC. e. [1] Also in the tombs were found sarcophagi decorated with bas-reliefs and images of the dead [2] .
The layout of the necropolis is a copy of the town-planning scheme of the Etruscan civilization, and the crypts themselves copy their buildings. Most of the tombs were built for one pair and represent one burial hall. [one]
Descriptions of individual tombs
Tomb of the Bulls
The tomb dating back to the 6th century BC. e., consists of three rooms - a wide hall, from which two doors lead into small chambers. The roof of the building is duo-pitch, as is the roof of the Etruscan houses. [3]
The painting is only on the walls of the central hall and is a plot composition. The pier between the doors is filled with a plot image from the Iliad - armed Achilles is trying to attack Troilus from behind cover. The upper part of the well, behind which Achilles is hiding, is decorated with sculptures of animals, all the rest of the free space is filled with plants. The character of this painting is typical of Etruscan art - the dimensions of the rider and horse are disproportionate, and the contour lines of all the elements of the image are written out rather sharply. [3]
The left side of the steady shows two sphinxes moving towards the center of the wall. Animals are placed in such a way that their heads, grains and backs touch the roof, creating the feeling that their bodies support the roof of the structure. In the right part of the lunette a scene of the pursuit of a rider by a bull is written. Free space in both frescoes is filled with floral motifs. [3]
Tomb of Augurov
The tomb dating back to the 6th century BC. e., consists of a single chamber with a gable roof. On the wall opposite the entrance is an imitation of a double door, next to which are two black-bearded men in long white tunics and short black cloaks. [3]
On the side walls of the image more dynamic. On the left wall a bearded Etruscan in a short tunic dances near trees, birds fly next to the dancer. On the right wall there is a struggle between two athletes - young and old. [3]
Tomb of the Lionesses
Tomb of the Lionesses, dating back to the IV century BC. e., is a small room with a pointed roof [1] . Above shows a checkerboard cell imitating shingles; Tuscan columns supporting the roof are written out in the corners and middle of the walls [3] .
The central frieze of the room is occupied with images of dancers and musicians, beneath them are palmettes in green and blue colors, and even lower, the surface of the sea with dolphins and flying birds jumping out of it. [3]
Study History
The modern interest in the Monterozzi necropolis began in the XVII-XVIII centuries, when scientists began to study and describe the graves, and by the first half of the XIX century, most of the tombs were discovered. In 1834, this place was visited by the Bavarian King Ludwig I , who ordered painters copies of Etruscan frescoes for the Old Pinakothek in Munich . [one]
Since the 1950s, the necropolis has been explored by geophysical methods [1] .
World Heritage listing
The Etruscan necropolis in Tarquinia was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2004 according to three criteria :
- the object is a masterpiece of human creative genius (i): the wall painting in the tombs of the Monterócia necropolis is exceptional both in design and in content, it depicts various aspects of Etruscan life and their beliefs [1] ;
- the object is unique or at least exceptional for the cultural tradition or civilization that still exists or has already disappeared (iii): the necropolis is a unique evidence of the civilization and culture of the ancient Etruscans, many tombs are copies of Etruscan buildings [1] ;
- the object is an outstanding example of a construction, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape that illustrate a significant period of human history (iv): tombs of the necropolis are such types of buildings that do not exist, and the layout of the burial sites is a copy of the Etruscan town planning schemes [1] .
Notes
- 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (Eng.) . UNESCO. The date of circulation is March 10, 2013. Archived March 12, 2013.
- ↑ 1 2 McNamara E. Etruscan. Life, religion, culture. - M .: Tsentrpoligraf, 2006. - 912 p. - ISBN 5-9524-2121-0 .
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Sokolov G.I. Etruscan art. - M .: Art, 1990. - 319 p.
Literature
- McNamara E. Etruscans. Life, religion, culture. - M .: Tsentrpoligraf, 2006. - 912 p. - ISBN 5-9524-2121-0 .
- Sokolov G.I. The art of the Etruscans. - M .: Art, 1990. - 319 p.