- The Celts zn Italy -
Figure 27.5 Etruscan grave stela from Bologna. The lower register shows a fight between an
Etruscan on horseback and a Celt. (Musco Civico Archeologico, Bologna.)
us an idea of the process by which the settled Celts adapted themselves to the Italian
environment (Vitali 1985, 1987). At the eastern downward slope of Monte Bibele, areas
of settlement were uncovered which extend over several terraces. Foundations and
remains of stone houses were uncovered which form built-up complexes clustered
closely together and separated from each other by alleys. There is also a well. The
first impression suggests that this is a small Etruscan centre. Remnants of iron and
copper slag hint at metal prospection in the Apennines. The finds include various iron
instruments as well as local pottery and black Firnis-wares from Etruscan Volterra.
Sometimes the vessels have engravings, so-called graffiti which include Etruscan
names. Only the fragments of a few glass arm-rings and several coins clearly indicate
a Celtic presence. It is not yet clear whether the settlement was already in existence
before 400 Be. It flourished in the fourth and third centuries Be.
Near the settlement a cemetery was discovered which was used for both crema-
tions and inhumations. There was no discernible order in the arrangement of
the male and female graves. It is noticeable that in the centre of the cemetery there
are graves without weapons which contain, among other items, 'Italic fibulae', the
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