The necropolis of Banditaccia covers an area of 10 hectares and it contains over 400 sepulchres dating back to a period of time from the 8th century to the 2nd century BC.
The area offers the possibility of following the changes in the type of sepulchres for a period of approximately 6 centuries and with this the evolution of the species and in general Etruscan culture of Cerveteri.
The visit starts off as a pleasant walk through a striking park enriched by luxuriant vegetation as the ancient road and alleys wind through the sepulchres. The impression is of finding oneself on the inside of a city organized into blocks divided by main roads and secondary streets along which the tombs resembling houses, are placed.
One of the great symbols of the necropolis is surely the Tomb of the Reliefs a stately monument from the end of the 4th century BC. The unusual decoration of the funeral chamber, enriched by exceptional frescoes, bas-relief and sculptures portraying a large series of objects of contemporary life use such as weapons, tools, domestic utensils and images of demons. This tomb belonged to the Matuna family ( the inscription painted on the slabs on the inside of the tomb testify to this).
The hypogeum represents a Unicom of not only Ceretane funeral testimonials but Etruscan as well and it shows how vital local culture was, even in times when Rome already dominated over all of central Italy
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