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The Tombs
THE FIRST MELONE OF SODO
It was explored fro the first time in 1909. Its exploration only
brought the burial chambers to light as they had be pillages over
the centuries. In the south-west quadrant which was restored in
1916 under the supervision of architect Domenico Mirri, which in
his above mentioned publication leaves a detailed documentation
, aldso sdescribes this tomb. In 1912 it was donated to the Accademia
Etrusca by Giulia Baldelli widow of the member Girolamo Tommasi.
Further restoration and research and putting the Second Melon in
order, could render this an inviting place for visitors who want
to view these two important monuments.
THE SECOND MELON OF SODO
It was explored for the first time in 1927. Recently it was excavated
again and in the process brought to the light a tumulus with a tamburo
of more than 70 meters in diameter. It proved to be carefully built
of large, square blocks of stone of different sizes which are raised
four rows in height which are traced horizontally by two offsets
and crowned by a triple moulding of the "bull" shape or
"owl beak" shape which would place the work among those
of with heavy eastern influence from classic Greece. It is the only
example in Etruria which conserves elements of its decorative sculptures,
which were lost on all of the large arcaic mound tombs of the other
locations. Inside the tumulus for the moment two chambers and a
tomb have been found with the bit of goldwork which is now displayed
in the Etruscan Academy Museum.
On the side of the tamburo which faces Cortona
a something was discovered which until now has remained unique.
It is a terraced altar which could be accessed using six stairs
which are flanked by two ornaments which depict a battle scene between
humans and mythical animals. It is now the property of the Etruscan
Academy.
(III-II century B.C.) THE HELLENISTIC TOMBS
 THE
CAVE OF PYTHAGORAS
This is a cylindrical shaped construction with a diameter of a little
more than seven meters which brings to mind a smaller version of
the "Mole Adriana" in Rome. It is located in an inspirational
spot, framed by cypress trees. It was known already in the 1500's
and visited by Vasari who seems to have judged it as the tomb of
Archimedes. Since then vistors have let their imaginations run wild,
some would have it the tomb of Ulysses others that of Pythagoras,
all due to the Greek-Hellenic style of its architecture.
The monument underwent progressive decay from the 1500's to the
1800's when the French troops passing through caused extensive damage.
The most recent examinations by experts date it to the second century
before Christ. It was donated to the Etruscan Academy in 1929 by
Mrs. Maria Laparelli Pitti.
LA TANELLA ANGORI
"The Den of Angori" was discovered in 1949 while working
the land. In architecture it is similar to the Grotta of Pythagorus
but of larger dimensions. This tomb measuring about 11 meters in
diameter.
There is little remaining of the monument it is dated to the same
period as th "Grotta of Pythagoras".
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