Reblogged By: La Tray

Source: The Local Itlay

Media: The Local Italy

Posted: Tuesday September 24, 2013 @ 6:00 p.m. PST

Archaeologists in central Italy are celebrating the discovery of an Etruscan tomb, still intact after 2,600 years.

The bones of a prince were found inside the tomb in the ancient city of Tarquinia in Lazio, Il Messaggero reported.

Archeologists from the University of Turin and the Superintendence for Archaeological Heritage of Southern Etruria were said to be astonished by the discovery.

“The biggest surprise was the intact state of the monument,” Alessandro Mandolesi, professor of antiquity at the University of Turin, told the newspaper.

In addition to the human bones, the archaeologists also found vases and ornamental objects.

Work is still underway at the site, with early finds suggesting the tomb was built for two.

“There are two platforms, one bigger and the other narrower. It was probably for a couple, especially if you consider the objects. The point of an iron spear is male…while other objects such as a jewellery box are female,” Mandolesi said.

“The most striking thing is the ‘aryballos’ [a type of vase], found hanging on a nail after 2,600 years,” he added.

Mayor Mauro Mazzola hailed the discovery as a welcome boost to the area’s cultural heritage, which would in turn boost tourism, Il Messaggero reported.