From plant remains to metal artifacts. An archaeobotanical and metallurgical study of the Etruscan grave goods from Tomb 129 at Vulci (Latium, Italy)

This paper presents an integrated archaeobotanical and archaeometallurgical study of the grave goods from Tomb 129 of the Etruscan necropolis of Poggio Mengarelli (Vulci, Italy). The burial, dated between the late 8th and early 7th centuries B.C., belonged to a high-ranking woman and yielded a rich trove of artifacts. The multidisciplinary approach combines taxonomic identification of the plant remains with chemical analysis of the metal objects. Light microscopy was used to examine organic materials, such as wood, textile fibers and plant components of tools and ornaments, revealing a careful selection of locally available resources chosen for their structural and functional properties. In parallel, energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF), combined with Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), was used to study the composition and structure of 34 metal artifacts, including bronzes, golds and silvers. The results highlight the knowledge that craftsmen in Etruria had of raw materials, metallurgical techniques and symbolic traditions. The presence of different style ornaments, such as scarab-shaped pendants, indicates a network of cultural and commercial exchanges between Etruscans and Medi-terranean peoples. Overall, the integration of archaeobotanical and metallurgical data provides a deeper understanding of Etruscan technological capabilities, cultural choices, and their interaction with their surroundings.