Rock Tombs and Monuments in South Etruria and Anatolia

Abstract

The inner part of South Etruria and several parts of Anatolia are characterized by impressive rock tombs and monuments. The highest concentration in Anatolia is found in Lycia and neighboring Caria, but they are documented also in Pamphylia, Pisidia, Cilicia, Cappadocia, Phrygia, Lydia, Paphlagonia-Pontus, and Urartu, ranging in date from the ninth through the eighth centuries BCE to the Roman period, with a remarkable concentration between the fourth century and the Hellenistic period. There is a rich variety in typology, architecture, and decoration, and in some cases also function. In Etruria the phenomenon of rock tombs is documented mainly from the second quarter of the sixth century to the early second century BCE in the areas of Tuscania, San Giuliano, Blera, Norchia, Castel d’Asso, and Sovana, and includes tombs of cube, house, porticus, temple, aedicula, and tholos types. But there are other rock monuments, such as altars, thrones, and stepped monuments. This chapter discusses both the main common elements and the many differences between Etruscan and Anatolian rock tombs and monuments, examining position, chronology, typology, architecture, decoration, function, and death cult.