Italian authorities are currently investigating two individuals for the suspected theft of archaeological finds from the Etruscan era worth a staggering €8 million. The authorities have uncovered an illegal excavation of an Etruscan burial site in the central Umbria region, which led to the seizure of urns, sarcophagi, and various artifacts intended for sale on the black market.
The illegal dig was discovered adjacent to another Etruscan burial site that was found by a farmer tilling his land in 2015. Through the use of aerial photography with a drone and phone taps, authorities were able to locate the second site on land owned by a local businessman who had access to earthmoving equipment.
At the newly discovered site, authorities found two sarcophagi believed to belong to Etruscan princesses, one still containing a skeleton. Additionally, a burial trousseau was discovered, complete with urns depicting battle and hunting scenes, perfume jars, and a comb made from bone.
The Etruscan civilization thrived from around 900 B.C. to 27 B.C. in central Italy, primarily in regions between the Tiber and Arno rivers, including parts of present-day Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio. The theft and illegal excavation of these valuable artifacts not only pose a threat to Italy’s cultural heritage but also highlight the ongoing issue of looting and trafficking of archaeological finds on the black market.
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