This 2,500-Year-Old Etruscan Well Was Opened with Bronze Statues and Closed with Two Human Bodies

This 2,500-Year-Old Etruscan Well Was Opened with Bronze Statues and Closed with Two Human Bodies

This may be a ritual tied to the creation of a new city.

A 2,500-year-old sacred well in Italy hid bronze offerings and two human skeletons from an ancient Etruscan ritual

Archaeologists found an unusual ritual well at ancient Etruscan city Kainua in Italy. Two bronze statuettes and a rare bronze plate were discovered at the well's bottom. These objects were votive offerings placed during a foundation ritual centuries ago. Two adult human skeletons were also found, marking the structure's ritual closing. The findings offer new insights into Etruscan city foundations and religious traditions.

Archaeologists unveil skeletal remains believed to be ritual ...

Archaeologists Unveil Skeletal Remains Believed to be Ritual Offering ...

Archaeologists discover Etruscan well that was ritually opened with offerings for a goddess — and 'closed' with human bodies

Archaeologists in Italy have discovered stunning bronze statuettes and a unique plate at the bottom of a ritual well associated with an ancient Etruscan goddess. It's possible that the artifacts were placed in the well in a ceremony to celebrate the "birth" of an ancient city.The additional discovery of ancient human remains in the well suggests that these individuals' burials may have been part of a "ritual closing," of the well, Elisabetta Gov…