Publication Date

Spring 4-20-2026

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Carlsen, Dana

Second Advisor

Sinclair, Bell

Department

Department of Anthropology

Disciplines

Ancient History, Greek and Roman through Late Antiquity | Archaeological Anthropology | Classical Archaeology and Art History

Abstract

The site of Valle Gianni, part of The Northwest Bolsena Archaeological Project, is located on the northwest lakefront of Lake Bolsena, and harbors many Roman and Etruscan archaeological findings dating back to the late Iron Age. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the cultural traditions of the Etruscans, their place in the wider Mediterranean during the late Iron Age into Classical antiquity, and the changes to both physical landscapes and cultural landscapes after their conquest by the Romans. The site of Valle Gianni acts as a case study in the dynamics of colonization and the repurposing of sacred spaces. Fieldwork at Valle Gianni was conducted in May and June of 2025, resulting in the excavation of the evidence of monumental Etruscan architecture and the discovery of two Etruscan tombs in the nearby hills. LiDAR scans of the site, along with broader comparisons to Etruscan construction traditions and spiritual ties to environmental features, enhance the current understanding of cultural transition through spatial analysis. Valle Gianni presents a clear view of how quintessentially Etruscan landscapes were transformed and de-legitimized by Roman colonization, changing the nature of how future inhabitants interacted with the land and what the modern understanding of Italic landscapes can draw from.

Program

Bachelors of Arts in Anthropology, Northern Illinois University

Publisher

Skye McCord

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