Urn Etruscan with Medusa: the truth behind the finding that intrigued everyone

In the last few days there has been a lot of talk about theurn with the face of Medusaan Etruscan find preserved inHypogeum of the Volumniat the gates of Perugia. Some photos published on the official social networks of the archaeological site have circulated the idea of ​​a new discovery. Local and national newspapers have relaunched the news, fueling curiosity: is it really a discovery that changes history?

No, it’s not a discovery. And to clarify it it was directly the Regional Directorate Musei Umbriathrough an official press release signed by Director of Costantino D’Orazio. The urn with the Medusa has already been known for some time And it is part of the exhibition itinerary that can be visited within the archaeological site.

Because we have returned to talk about the urn with Medusa

The media attention was born from a Facebook post in which there was talk of the activities of Restoration in progress at the Ipogeo dei Volumnian Etruscan funeral complex among the most important in central Italy. The site, together with the Necropolis of the Palazzone and toAntiquariumis currently subject to a project of Recovery and rearrangement financed with funds Pinqua (national quality plan of living)as part of the PNRR.

During these works, the restorers were able to Examine the funeral urn closeconfirming some known but not very popular data: the urn is emptydoes not contain the ashes of the deceased to which he was destined. Inside, however, they were found Three small terracotta containerssimple and without decoration: a cup and two jugs.

This discovery has rekindled interest on a find which, despite being already known, still retains Many questions on its original use and on the funeral ritual to which it was linked.

Not a discovery, but an Etruscan urn with a powerful symbolism

The urn dates back to III century BC and is carved in travertine. On the front side the face of the jellyfishthe Greek mythological figure with snakes in the hair, that the Etruscans adopted as an apotropaic symbol: that is, it was needed to protect the deceased from evil spirits.

The urn comes from one Hypogea tomb of the Etruscan Family Acsione aristocratic gens of the Perugia area, and is accompanied by aRegistration in Etruscan language which probably mentions the name of the deceased: Arrh (or Lathi) Caprti.

But why is it empty? According to the reconstruction provided by the director of Orazio, but a rather common practice in the finds found in the nineteenth century. At the time, during the excavations, the ashes were often removed for conservation reasons Or simply ignored. Also in this case, the remains were likely to have been eliminated immediately after the discovery.

Open hypothesis: cenotaph or simple emptied container?

However, scholars do not exclude a second hypothesis: the urn may have been conceived as a cenotaphthat is, one symbolic burial Made for a deceased whose body was not available. In this reading, the three small terracotta vessels found inside could represent Ritual offers substitutes for ashes.

This theory, if confirmed, would expand our understanding of the Etruscan funeral ritesoften more complex and less standardized than you think. But to date, No definitive tests allows you to choose one version on the other.

Certainty is only one: even if, the urn with Medusa remains an exceptional objectnot only for the artistic refinement, but also for the mystery that he still manages to convey today.