Imagine strolling through a 2,500-year-old tomb chamber from the comfort of your own home. Thanks to a novel project by Swedish researchers, nearly 280 Etruscan chamber tombs in Italy have been documented digitally and reconstructed as an interactive online portal. The project opens up one of the ancient Mediterranean’s most fascinating cultures to researchers, students, and the public.
Tomb of Reliefs, Banditaccia Etruscan Necropolis in Cerveteri. Credit: Stefano Costantini / CC BY-SA 2.0
The project, developed at the University of Gothenburg in collaboration with the Swedish Insтιтute in Rome, merges decades of archaeological research with innovative digital methods. Early studies of this type of tomb relied on sketches, measuring tapes, and field notes. Today, researchers employ advanced methods such as pH๏τogrammetry, laser scanning, and 3D modeling to obtain precise reconstructions. The result is a publicly accessible database where each tomb can be explored in detail, creating a virtual tour of what is normally hidden and difficult to reach.
The majority of the Etruscan tombs are located off the main roads, with collapsed pᴀssageways and heavy dust making them nearly inaccessible to visitors. In some cases, narrow openings require crawling through debris just to enter. Digital documentation not only preserves these fragile spaces but also allows people from all over the world to see them virtually—without the risks of field exploration.
The project has also produced a Virtual Reality app, providing a more immersive glimpse of what it is like to stand inside the chambers. Beyond the visual impact, the scans also open up new potential for research, enabling data to be gathered and analyzed that would be impossible without physical visits.
Hampus Olsson, researcher at the Swedish Insтιтute in Rome. Credit: Jonathan Westin, University of Gothenburg
The Swedish Insтιтute in Rome has long played a central role in Etruscan research. The insтιтute has served as a focal point for Swedish archaeological work in Italy since its founding in 1925. In the 1950s, it took an active part in the large-scale excavations in southern Etruria, work that met with widespread attention in both Italy and Sweden. Much of that publicity was because King Gustav VI Adolf was very keen on archaeology and even took part himself in the excavations for many years, right up to the year before his death in 1973.
The insтιтute continues its legacy today by supporting digital humanities projects like this. Its library remains one of the most important resources in the field of Etruscology, with scholars visiting from around the world. The new digital portal is expected to continue to expand, with more tombs being added to create a growing archive for international collaboration.
Etruscan tomb “Cuccumella” in the Marturanum Natural Park in Italy. Credit: Tulumnes / CC BY-SA 4.0
In the future, the project will also serve a significant educational function. As of 2026, students at the University of Gothenburg will use the portal as part of their studies, gaining practical experience in 3D scanning, digital documentation, and online publication. In coordination with the Swedish Insтιтute in Rome, they will contribute directly to the growth and expansion of the database.
What once required the physical exploration of dusty, fragile tombs can now be explored by anyone with an internet connection, ensuring that the cultural heritage of the Etruscans is preserved, studied, and transmitted to future generations.
More information: Visit the portal / University of Gothenburg
