Archaeologists excavating the ancient Etruscan city of Kainua near Marzabotto, northern Italy, have uncovered an exceptionally preserved ritual well containing bronze votive offerings and human remains.
The discovery was made during the 39th excavation campaign conducted by the University of Bologna under the direction of Professor Elisabetta Govi from the Department of History and Cultures.
The well is situated within the city’s sacred precinct dedicated to the goddess Uni, one of the principal deities of the Etruscan pantheon. Excavations revealed two finely crafted bronze female figurines and a rare bronze plate resting at the bottom of the shaft. Remarkably, the artefacts remain in an excellent state of preservation, retaining much of their original metallic sheen after more than two millennia underground.
According to Professor Govi, the objects were deposited as part of a ceremonial foundation ritual dating to the late sixth and early fifth centuries BC, when Kainua itself was established.
“The bronze figurines and plate represent votive offerings placed during the solemn consecration of the well,” Govi said. “In contrast, two adult human skeletons discovered within the structure appear to relate to a later ritual marking the well’s closure and the end of its use.”
Researchers believe the discovery confirms that the structure served a dual purpose. While providing access to water, the well also functioned as an important ritual monument closely connected with the city’s foundation and the sacred significance of water in Etruscan religion.
The ritual well lies within one of the most significant sacred areas of Kainua. Previous excavations have identified two monumental temples dedicated to Tinia, the supreme Etruscan god comparable to Zeus or Jupiter, and his consort Uni, the equivalent of Hera or Juno. Archaeological evidence also indicates the worship of Vei, a fertility goddess associated with Demeter and Ceres.
The newly discovered well adds another dimension to this ceremonial landscape and offers valuable insight into religious traditions surrounding urban planning and civic identity in Etruscan society.
The discovery comes as the recently reopened MNEMA – National Etruscan Museum of Marzabotto adopts a new approach to presenting archaeological research. Rather than functioning solely as a repository for historical collections, the museum has been redesigned as an evolving research centre where visitors can encounter the latest discoveries as they emerge from ongoing excavations. Once conservation and scientific analysis are complete, the newly recovered artefacts are expected to go on public display.
The University of Bologna has been carrying out archaeological investigations in Kainua since 1988. The current excavation season was funded through €140,000 by the Italian Ministry of Culture’s Directorate-General for Museums in the Department for the Enhancement of Cultural Heritage. Thanks to a cooperation agreement between the University and MNEMA in 2023, archaeologists were able to extend the field season in 2026 by two weeks.
That extension eventually led to the discovery of the ritual well and showed the need for sustained archaeological research at one of the best-preserved examples of an Etruscan planned city.
The results are expected to shed new light on the religious beliefs, urban foundation ceremonies, and ritual treatment of sacred spaces that characterised Etruscan civilisation during the Archaic period.
Sources : Università di Bologna
