SHARRYLAND
The Volumni Hypogeum
The pearl of the Etruscan necropolis of Palazzone
Where is
What it is and where it is
The Volumni Hypogeum is an Etruscan tomb located in the Perugia hamlet of Ponte San Giovanni, just outside the city gates. It is part of the larger archaeological area of Palazzone, which in its entirety includes about two hundred Etruscan tombs. The Volumni Hypogeum stands out for its size and articulated spaces: as a whole, the structure descends to 5.3 meters below ground, opening a way into the ground until it reaches the atrium and main room.
Why it is special
It can be reached by descending a staircase, called a dromos, which ends in a stone doorway bearing inscriptions about the construction of the structure. Beyond the door, the tomb consists of ten rooms. Seven urns are arranged in the tablinium: in the center is laid the most important, that of the progenitor of the family, Arnth Velimna Aules. It is an imposing artifact made of travertine, on the top of which is carved the deceased himself, semi-recumbent. To the right are four other urns, belonging to his grandfather, father and brothers, while to Arnth's left is his daughter Veilia, depicted seated, adorned with jewelry.
Not to be missed
The roof of the tomb seems to reproduce the geometries of an aristocratic dwelling, while there are funerary decorations and warrior garments. But one should not be in a hurry to get here: just before the main entrance to the tomb lie a series of urns found in the same necropolis but in other tombs. Almost all of them were made of travertine in Perugia and were apparently painted with scenes of various kinds: some depicted the griffin, the symbol of Perugia, others scenes from Greek mythology.
A bit of history
The Volumni Hypogeum can be traced back to the period from the 3rd to the 2nd century BC. It was owned by the Velimna family, in Latin Volumni, and appears to have been used until the 1st century BC. The tomb was discovered in 1840 while excavations for a new road were being carried out. Immediately the importance of the find was realized, so much so that it attracted curious people from the surrounding areas, as well as from abroad.
Curiosities
Near the Veilia urn there is one that stands out from all the others. It is the urn of Publius Volumnius, depicting a heavenly garden. Someone will probably need only the name of the deceased to understand what is anomalous about this urn: it is the only one preserved here from the Roman period.
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