Tarquinia, themes of urbanization on the Civita and Monterozzi plateaus

This contribution approaches the theme of urbanisation of the Civita plateau (Tarquinia) while three main research projects of the University of Milan are in progress and after circumspection of a number of relevant results. They concern the excavation of the ‘monumental complex’ and of the sanctuary of the Ara della Regina, the topography of the ancient city and phases of the necropolis. In this framework it challenges the problem of the limits of the settlement before the fortifications were built in masonry, its relationship with the necropolises and with other inhabited areas on other hilltops during the Villanovan period, such as the Calvario village. This task is crucial for shedding light on the Tarquinian community’s choices in space organization at its very beginnings, before the fortifications were built and the chamber tombs of the necropolis started to be painted during the Orientalising period.