Ancient Etruscan Tombs Go Digital: 280 Burial Chambers Now Accessible Online

A groundbreaking digital initiative has opened the doors of Italy’s Etruscan world to a global audience. Researchers from the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish Institute in Rome have created an online platform where nearly 280 Etruscan chamber tombs, dating back 2,500 years, can now be studied and explored virtually.

From Excavations to Digital Archives

The project brings together decades of archaeological work carried out by Swedish scholars in Italy with the latest tools of digital archaeology. By integrating archival excavation notes with laser scanning, photogrammetry, and 3D visualization, the team has built a resource that blends the past with the future.

According to Jonathan Westin, director of GRIDH at the University of Gothenburg, stepping inside these tombs often feels like trespassing into an ancient silence: “The chambers have been entered countless times over the centuries—by shepherds, farmers, and archaeologists. Yet when you crawl into them, it feels as though time has barely moved.”

Virtual Reality for an Immersive Experience

While many tombs are hidden in remote landscapes and accessed only through collapsed passages, their new digital replicas are open to everyone. The platform is complemented by a Virtual Reality application that allows students, researchers, and enthusiasts to virtually descend into these spaces and even generate new research data.

Swedish Archaeology in Italy: A Century of Work

The Swedish Institute in Rome has been central to Etruscan studies since 1925. Its role became internationally visible in the 1950s, during major excavations in southern Etruria. These digs captured headlines in both Italy and Sweden thanks to the personal involvement of King Gustav VI Adolf, who remained active in the field until shortly before his death in 1973.

Preparing the Next Generation

From 2026 onward, the portal will also serve as an educational tool. Students at the University of Gothenburg will be able to learn the methods of 3D scanning, data collection, and digital publishing, ensuring that a new generation of archaeologists is trained in digital heritage practices.

Global Impact

What was once accessible only to specialists in the field is now available to anyone with an internet connection. This project demonstrates how cultural heritage technology can make fragile, hard-to-reach sites both permanent and widely accessible—ensuring that the Etruscan legacy is preserved and reimagined for the digital age.

University of Gothenburg

Cover Image: Hampus Olsson, researcher at the Swedish Institute in Rome. Credit: Jonathan Westin