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Professor Anthony Tuck of the UMass Amherst Department of Classics heads the archeological project at Poggio Civitate (Italian for "Hill of the Civilization"), located near Murlo in the Tuscany region of Italy. He continues a 49 year legacy of discovery at the site, which was discovered accidentally when, in the 1920s, archeologist Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli was approached by a local farmer who'd unearthed a bronze helmet in his field. Excavation began in 1966 and uncovered a giant structure. Since then, a large volume of material from distinct phases of Etruscan occupation has been brought to light.

The Poggio Civitate Archaeological Field School is among the oldest and most well respected in the world. The program provides students and archeology enthusiasts the opportunity to excavate at the site under the direction of a staff of professional archeologists, conservators, illustrators, and photographers. Participants receive training in all aspects of fieldwork, including excavation and data collection, archeological survey and drawing, objects conservation, illustration, photography, and cataloging.

A recent article in Current World Archeology, titled "Poggio Civitate: Exploring Etruscan Enigmas on the Plain of Treasures," reveals that though much has been learned about ancient Etruscan civilization, important questions remain unanswered: "Why was such an enormous structure built here?" Professor Tuck remains convinced that the structure formed at a luxurious, elite residence. But for whom?

Read the full article (PDF).