1
00:00:01,302 --> 00:00:04,103
2700 years ago, these guys
are building stuff like this?
2
00:00:04,105 --> 00:00:06,839
Yeah, and you can tell
they're master engineers
having built this.
3
00:00:07,842 --> 00:00:10,109
If I were to bet,
what would be
4
00:00:10,111 --> 00:00:12,111
The most successful culture
in Italy,
5
00:00:12,113 --> 00:00:13,245
It would be the etruscans.
6
00:00:13,347 --> 00:00:15,014
And yet, they're gone.
7
00:00:17,218 --> 00:00:19,184
This is bone everywhere here.
8
00:00:19,186 --> 00:00:21,053
It's littered all over
this bed.
9
00:00:23,257 --> 00:00:26,025
The more we look at this map,
the more that it seems like
10
00:00:26,027 --> 00:00:27,059
There might be tombs
everywhere.
11
00:00:28,829 --> 00:00:30,329
-Do you want to go in?
-No.
12
00:00:30,331 --> 00:00:32,531
-There's science in there.
-No, there's spiders in there.
13
00:00:34,602 --> 00:00:35,701
There's an opening here.
14
00:00:35,703 --> 00:00:37,803
I think we can drop right
into it. Here we go.
15
00:00:37,805 --> 00:00:41,106
Look at this place,
this is serious construction.
16
00:00:41,108 --> 00:00:42,341
It's cut out of the hill.
17
00:00:42,443 --> 00:00:44,710
If you were an outsider,
it looked really imposing.
18
00:00:44,712 --> 00:00:48,213
Wow. I mean, so beautiful.
19
00:00:48,215 --> 00:00:50,816
I've scanned hundreds
of historical sites
20
00:00:50,818 --> 00:00:52,618
And I've never seen
anything like this.
21
00:00:52,620 --> 00:00:53,819
This is real game of thrones
22
00:00:53,821 --> 00:00:54,953
Absolutely.
23
00:01:05,933 --> 00:01:08,300
It is said that all roads
lead to rome,
24
00:01:08,302 --> 00:01:10,302
But where did those
roads begin?
25
00:01:10,304 --> 00:01:12,704
The groundwork for
the mighty roman empire
26
00:01:12,706 --> 00:01:14,740
Might have been built
by a civilization
27
00:01:14,842 --> 00:01:17,309
You may never have heard
of, the etruscans.
28
00:01:18,946 --> 00:01:23,916
They flourished around
700 bce and dominated
the italian peninsula
29
00:01:23,918 --> 00:01:25,784
For five centuries.
30
00:01:25,786 --> 00:01:28,720
Priceless goods discovered
in elaborate tombs
31
00:01:28,722 --> 00:01:31,423
Are revealing they traded
far and wide,
32
00:01:31,425 --> 00:01:35,527
But they didn't leave behind
many clues about themselves.
33
00:01:35,529 --> 00:01:38,730
Etruscan literature
and language is largely lost,
34
00:01:38,732 --> 00:01:42,201
Some say deliberately
destroyed by later conquerors.
35
00:01:42,203 --> 00:01:46,338
What we're left with
is their legend
as told by others,
36
00:01:46,407 --> 00:01:50,709
Who saw them as pirates
that communed with dark gods
37
00:01:50,711 --> 00:01:54,913
To foretell the future
through strange,
bloody rituals.
38
00:01:54,915 --> 00:01:57,349
But who was
this lost civilization?
39
00:01:57,451 --> 00:01:59,618
This missing link
of the mediterranean?
40
00:01:59,620 --> 00:02:02,154
I aim to find out.
41
00:02:02,222 --> 00:02:06,692
Groundbreaking new research
maybe settling the controver
of their origin.
42
00:02:06,694 --> 00:02:10,696
A city of the dead
could reveal how powerful
the etruscans
43
00:02:10,698 --> 00:02:12,064
Were in life.
44
00:02:12,066 --> 00:02:14,633
And an archaeologist
and fellow member of
45
00:02:14,668 --> 00:02:16,602
The world famous
explorers club
46
00:02:16,604 --> 00:02:20,405
Is on a historic expedition
using cutting edge technolog
47
00:02:20,407 --> 00:02:23,709
To search for a vanished
etruscan necropolis.
48
00:02:23,711 --> 00:02:26,745
A search that may reveal
how this ancient superpower
49
00:02:26,814 --> 00:02:29,414
Helped give rise
to the modern world.
50
00:02:29,416 --> 00:02:32,818
So let's fly the flag
of exploration as we unlock
51
00:02:32,820 --> 00:02:35,821
The secrets of
the elusive etruscans.
52
00:02:39,426 --> 00:02:41,426
My name is josh gates.
53
00:02:41,428 --> 00:02:42,427
Hello!
54
00:02:42,429 --> 00:02:44,229
Explorer...
55
00:02:44,231 --> 00:02:45,664
Adventurer...
56
00:02:45,732 --> 00:02:47,299
-Amazing.
-Help!
57
00:02:47,301 --> 00:02:50,836
...And a guy who ends up
in some very strange
situations.
58
00:02:50,938 --> 00:02:52,604
[bleep] whoo!
That was exciting.
59
00:02:52,606 --> 00:02:56,308
With a degree in archaeolog
and a passion
for the unexplained.
60
00:02:56,310 --> 00:02:57,508
[laughs]
61
00:02:57,510 --> 00:02:59,711
I travel to the ends
of the earth investigating
62
00:02:59,713 --> 00:03:01,747
The greatest legends
in history.
63
00:03:01,815 --> 00:03:03,315
Hey, let's punch it.
64
00:03:03,317 --> 00:03:05,617
This is expedition unkno.
65
00:03:11,425 --> 00:03:13,926
My journey begins
in the so called capital
66
00:03:13,928 --> 00:03:15,360
Of the ancient world.
67
00:03:15,396 --> 00:03:18,130
Even today, travelers come
from all corners
68
00:03:18,132 --> 00:03:21,133
To stroll among
the vaunted columns
of the forum,
69
00:03:21,235 --> 00:03:24,503
To marvel at the colosseum,
and to stand in awe
70
00:03:24,505 --> 00:03:26,338
Of the magnificent vatican.
71
00:03:26,440 --> 00:03:28,607
But before I get too deep
in history,
72
00:03:28,609 --> 00:03:30,642
I'll be damned if I'm not
going to eat something.
73
00:03:30,744 --> 00:03:32,244
The sistine chapel is all well
and good,
74
00:03:32,346 --> 00:03:35,714
But homemade cacio e pepe is
a masterpiece you can eat.
75
00:03:36,650 --> 00:03:39,318
The bowl's made out of cheese,
it's genius.
76
00:03:39,320 --> 00:03:41,954
Also, nobody looks at
you funny when you drink
before noon.
77
00:03:43,624 --> 00:03:47,459
Today, this incredible
metropolis stretches
in all directions.
78
00:03:47,561 --> 00:03:49,828
But the best view
can be found high above
79
00:03:49,830 --> 00:03:51,430
On janiculum hill.
80
00:03:51,432 --> 00:03:53,699
This is the picture
on the postcards.
81
00:03:53,701 --> 00:03:57,135
Rome. Just the name seems
chiseled in marble.
82
00:03:57,171 --> 00:03:59,304
To most people rome
has always been here.
83
00:03:59,306 --> 00:04:01,139
It's called the eternal city
after all,
84
00:04:01,208 --> 00:04:03,709
And the long standing story,
least the one they taught me
85
00:04:03,711 --> 00:04:06,411
In grade school, is that
the romans conquered
the greeks
86
00:04:06,413 --> 00:04:08,947
Borrowing their gods,
building on their culture
87
00:04:08,949 --> 00:04:11,717
And evolving into a powerhouse
the likes of which
88
00:04:11,719 --> 00:04:13,252
The world had never seen.
89
00:04:15,055 --> 00:04:18,523
Ancient rome lasted
for nearly 2000 years.
90
00:04:18,525 --> 00:04:20,859
It started as a small
tribal settlement
91
00:04:20,928 --> 00:04:24,062
In central Italy
around 750 bce,
92
00:04:24,131 --> 00:04:26,798
And expanded to put it mildl
93
00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:29,801
By about the year 100,
the roman empire covered
94
00:04:29,803 --> 00:04:33,605
Nearly two million square
miles stretching from britai
95
00:04:33,607 --> 00:04:34,673
To egypt.
96
00:04:34,741 --> 00:04:37,409
At its height, rome
governed nearly 20%
97
00:04:37,411 --> 00:04:39,144
Of the world's population.
98
00:04:39,213 --> 00:04:42,247
We credit the romans with
awe inspiring architecture
99
00:04:42,316 --> 00:04:45,117
And groundbreaking innovations
in engineering.
100
00:04:45,119 --> 00:04:48,654
Roman authors love to brag
about the unrivaled glory
101
00:04:48,722 --> 00:04:49,821
Of their empire.
102
00:04:49,823 --> 00:04:51,957
A beacon of life
in an otherwise dark world,
103
00:04:52,026 --> 00:04:54,092
But rome didn't come
out of nowhere.
104
00:04:54,094 --> 00:04:56,962
Every story has a beginning
and it might just be that
105
00:04:56,964 --> 00:04:58,930
This one has
some hidden chapters.
106
00:04:59,033 --> 00:05:01,199
We all know that rome
wasn't built in a day,
107
00:05:01,201 --> 00:05:04,136
But what if rome
wasn't even built by romans?
108
00:05:07,341 --> 00:05:10,509
I descend down to
the famous capitolini museum
109
00:05:10,511 --> 00:05:14,212
A place that celebrates
rome's monumental origins.
110
00:05:14,214 --> 00:05:17,115
Well, there's definitely
a mystery afoot.
111
00:05:18,619 --> 00:05:20,118
It's a big foot.
112
00:05:20,120 --> 00:05:22,554
The answers I'm looking for
begin with a sculpture
113
00:05:22,623 --> 00:05:25,724
Tied to the very foundation
of this empire.
114
00:05:25,726 --> 00:05:27,392
All cities have their icons.
115
00:05:27,394 --> 00:05:29,328
New york has
the statue of liberty.
116
00:05:29,330 --> 00:05:31,363
Rio has christ the redeemer,
117
00:05:31,398 --> 00:05:34,800
And this here is
the capitoline wolf,
symbol of rome.
118
00:05:34,802 --> 00:05:38,036
The she wolf and the twin
suckling below represent
119
00:05:38,105 --> 00:05:40,539
The legendary founding
of the city.
120
00:05:40,607 --> 00:05:43,108
The kids here are romulus
and remus,
121
00:05:43,110 --> 00:05:46,411
Twin demigod sons
of the god of war mars.
122
00:05:46,413 --> 00:05:49,514
According to myth,
romulus kills remus
123
00:05:49,516 --> 00:05:52,117
And goes on to found
the city of rome.
124
00:05:53,320 --> 00:05:56,722
This image is seen
as quintessentially roman.
125
00:05:56,724 --> 00:06:00,192
Even today, there are
depictions of this
all over the city.
126
00:06:00,194 --> 00:06:02,427
It's on every bridge
and lamppost.
127
00:06:02,429 --> 00:06:05,330
And yet, this very symbol
of rome,
128
00:06:05,332 --> 00:06:08,300
And many of the achievements
of the city may come from
129
00:06:08,302 --> 00:06:11,603
A region that's much older,
a place known as ertruria
130
00:06:11,605 --> 00:06:14,506
And a people known
as the etruscans.
131
00:06:14,508 --> 00:06:17,008
But who were they?
Where did they come from?
132
00:06:17,010 --> 00:06:19,845
And where did they go?
133
00:06:19,946 --> 00:06:22,714
In search of answers,
I leave rome in the rear vie
134
00:06:22,716 --> 00:06:25,650
And head into the country
in an italian classic.
135
00:06:25,719 --> 00:06:29,221
This here is
a fiat campagnola
it was introduced
136
00:06:29,223 --> 00:06:32,691
After world war ii, basically,
Italy's version of a jeep
137
00:06:32,693 --> 00:06:34,059
Or a land rover.
138
00:06:34,128 --> 00:06:36,361
It's a pretty no nonsense
4x4 though.
139
00:06:36,397 --> 00:06:38,130
Does have a touch
of italian style,
140
00:06:38,132 --> 00:06:40,165
And if you pull on
the door handles too hard,
141
00:06:40,233 --> 00:06:42,000
They're probably going
to break off in your hands.
142
00:06:42,002 --> 00:06:45,937
3000 years ago, this region
was known as ertruria,
143
00:06:46,006 --> 00:06:48,206
Realm of
the mysterious etruscans,
144
00:06:48,208 --> 00:06:50,008
And one of
their largest cities
145
00:06:50,010 --> 00:06:51,810
Was a place called tarquinia
146
00:06:54,314 --> 00:06:56,948
Today, the picturesque city
that stands here
147
00:06:56,950 --> 00:06:58,483
Is largely medieval.
148
00:06:58,485 --> 00:07:02,154
But like all of Italy,
it's also a layer cake
of history.
149
00:07:02,255 --> 00:07:05,690
I stroll through the gates
of the tarquinia
national museum,
150
00:07:05,692 --> 00:07:09,694
Where amidst the galleries,
it's possible to do
a little time traveling.
151
00:07:09,696 --> 00:07:12,764
This museum is a literal
treasure trove
152
00:07:12,833 --> 00:07:16,034
Of etruscan art
and artifacts beyond compare.
153
00:07:16,136 --> 00:07:19,104
And these items paint
a picture of not just
154
00:07:19,106 --> 00:07:21,840
An ancient culture,
but of an incredibly
155
00:07:21,908 --> 00:07:23,708
Sophisticated civilization.
156
00:07:24,912 --> 00:07:29,648
Everywhere I look, I'm amaze
from stone, ceramic,
157
00:07:29,749 --> 00:07:34,820
And terracotta to gold,
bronze, and marble.
158
00:07:34,822 --> 00:07:37,422
It seems there was no mediu
that the etruscans
159
00:07:37,424 --> 00:07:39,524
Couldn't shape
into something beautiful.
160
00:07:39,526 --> 00:07:42,561
And everyday items
like delicate umbrellas,
161
00:07:42,596 --> 00:07:46,798
Bone dice, and hand mirrors
reveal a familiar
162
00:07:46,800 --> 00:07:49,601
And personal side
to their lives.
163
00:07:49,603 --> 00:07:52,637
Each item here is more
intriguing than the next.
164
00:07:52,739 --> 00:07:56,107
And the collection begs
one simple question,
165
00:07:56,109 --> 00:07:57,709
"who were these people?"
166
00:07:57,711 --> 00:08:01,213
To find out I make my way
just outside the modern cit
167
00:08:01,215 --> 00:08:04,015
To an archeological park,
where I meet its director,
168
00:08:04,017 --> 00:08:06,117
Dr. Vincenzo bellelli.
169
00:08:06,119 --> 00:08:09,654
So we are on the outskirts
here of what was tarquinia?
170
00:08:09,723 --> 00:08:12,524
-Yes.
-And this was a big
etruscan city, right?
171
00:08:12,526 --> 00:08:15,060
One of the most important
etruscan cities.
172
00:08:15,128 --> 00:08:17,329
And there were a number
of these big powerful
173
00:08:17,331 --> 00:08:18,597
Etruscan cities, right?
174
00:08:18,599 --> 00:08:20,231
Exactly...
175
00:08:27,274 --> 00:08:31,843
Etruscan civilization can b
traced back to roughly
1100 bce,
176
00:08:31,945 --> 00:08:35,113
When ancient greece
was still in its dark ages.
177
00:08:35,115 --> 00:08:39,017
The etruscans would rise
to power in the eighth
century bce.
178
00:08:39,019 --> 00:08:42,821
Twelve individual city state
that form an etruscan leagu
179
00:08:42,823 --> 00:08:45,624
Ruled by wealthy families
that come to dominate
180
00:08:45,626 --> 00:08:47,158
The italian peninsula.
181
00:08:47,227 --> 00:08:50,962
In its prime, ertruria cover
thousands of square miles,
182
00:08:51,064 --> 00:08:54,199
All while rome was
a tiny rural backwater.
183
00:08:54,201 --> 00:08:57,836
In the museum, I see
these incredible objects,
184
00:08:57,905 --> 00:09:00,171
Objects from etruria,
185
00:09:00,173 --> 00:09:02,107
But also from all over
the mediterranean.
186
00:09:02,109 --> 00:09:03,408
From everywhere. Yes.
187
00:09:03,410 --> 00:09:05,610
How are the etruscans getting
all of this stuff?
188
00:09:05,612 --> 00:09:07,245
They were traders.
189
00:09:07,347 --> 00:09:09,614
The etruscans were
adept seafarers,
190
00:09:09,616 --> 00:09:11,750
And traded all over
the known world
191
00:09:11,851 --> 00:09:14,052
From egypt to the baltic.
192
00:09:14,054 --> 00:09:16,488
The greeks sometimes describ
them as pirates
193
00:09:16,490 --> 00:09:18,323
Who practice black magic,
194
00:09:18,325 --> 00:09:20,592
But no one knows
if that's an honest
assessment,
195
00:09:20,594 --> 00:09:22,727
Or ancient fake news.
196
00:09:22,729 --> 00:09:25,530
So the etruscans seem like
they're very powerful,
197
00:09:25,532 --> 00:09:27,065
Very sophisticated.
198
00:09:27,067 --> 00:09:31,803
In what is now Italy,
the etruscans were
the most sophisticated people.
199
00:09:31,805 --> 00:09:33,905
Right, and so where are
we right now?
200
00:09:33,907 --> 00:09:36,308
I mean, it just feels like
endless fields out here.
201
00:09:36,310 --> 00:09:37,241
What is this?
202
00:09:37,243 --> 00:09:39,844
This is the necropolis
of tarquinia.
203
00:09:39,913 --> 00:09:42,113
A necropolis, so this would
have been a cemetery?
204
00:09:42,115 --> 00:09:43,515
-Cemetery.
-Okay.
205
00:09:43,517 --> 00:09:45,350
And these buildings
we see, these are?
206
00:09:45,419 --> 00:09:46,784
Tombs.
207
00:09:46,786 --> 00:09:49,754
What appears to be
an empty field
is anything but.
208
00:09:49,823 --> 00:09:52,857
Dotting the landscape
are small, modern buildings
209
00:09:52,926 --> 00:09:56,328
Each of which protect
the entrance to
an etruscan burial.
210
00:09:56,330 --> 00:09:58,029
-These are the entrances
of tombs, okay,
-yeah.
211
00:09:58,031 --> 00:09:59,831
So how many tombs are here?
212
00:09:59,833 --> 00:10:02,734
Um, more or less, 6000 tombs.
213
00:10:02,836 --> 00:10:04,035
-6000?
-Yeah.
214
00:10:04,104 --> 00:10:05,704
Oh, you get your work cut
out for you.
215
00:10:05,706 --> 00:10:07,505
Yes, there is a lot to do.
216
00:10:07,507 --> 00:10:10,342
-Okay, can we see one
of the tombs? Please.
-Yes.
217
00:10:16,116 --> 00:10:20,619
Josh, are you ready to visit
the etruscan underworld?
218
00:10:20,621 --> 00:10:22,520
It depends. Do I get
to come back after?
219
00:10:22,522 --> 00:10:25,323
-Yes, of course. Let's go.
-Then I'm ready.
220
00:10:25,325 --> 00:10:26,725
Let's go to the underworld.
221
00:10:29,529 --> 00:10:32,030
Vincenzo leads me down
a sloping hallway
222
00:10:32,032 --> 00:10:33,331
Deep into the earth.
223
00:10:37,304 --> 00:10:39,004
Oh.
224
00:10:39,006 --> 00:10:41,906
Wow. I mean, so beautiful.
225
00:10:45,612 --> 00:10:49,114
Oh, I mean, look at
the designs and the color.
226
00:10:49,116 --> 00:10:50,815
This was painted when?
227
00:10:50,817 --> 00:10:53,551
Around 480 bc.
228
00:10:53,620 --> 00:10:56,721
So this is nearly
2500 year old painting?
229
00:10:56,723 --> 00:10:58,590
-Exactly.
-And it is so vivid,
230
00:10:58,592 --> 00:10:59,924
Like it was done yesterday.
231
00:10:59,926 --> 00:11:04,362
Yes, it is the best preserved
painted tomb of tarquinia.
232
00:11:04,431 --> 00:11:06,698
Of the 6000 tombs
in tarquinia,
233
00:11:06,700 --> 00:11:10,402
Only 2% are painted
and preserved like this one
234
00:11:10,404 --> 00:11:12,804
The walls depict
an idyllic party.
235
00:11:12,806 --> 00:11:15,573
Even the ceiling is decorate
to give us the feeling
236
00:11:15,575 --> 00:11:18,810
That we're inside a kind
of tent part of the scene.
237
00:11:19,212 --> 00:11:20,945
Wow. Incredible.
238
00:11:20,947 --> 00:11:23,415
So let's talk about what
they're doing,
they are feasting?
239
00:11:25,619 --> 00:11:28,119
This reminds me of kind of
a greek scene.
240
00:11:28,121 --> 00:11:32,457
The main difference is that
women are allowed
241
00:11:32,559 --> 00:11:33,791
To participate.
242
00:11:33,793 --> 00:11:36,728
-These are women laying down
with the men?
-Yeah.
243
00:11:36,730 --> 00:11:40,498
-And this is not possible
in the greek world.
-Right.
244
00:11:40,500 --> 00:11:42,834
Or in the roman world,
you wouldn't really have
seen this, right?
245
00:11:42,936 --> 00:11:43,935
Yes.
246
00:11:43,937 --> 00:11:46,137
And it goes far
beyond feasting.
247
00:11:46,206 --> 00:11:48,840
Women were even known
to fight alongside men
248
00:11:48,942 --> 00:11:50,608
In military campaigns.
249
00:11:50,610 --> 00:11:52,711
Okay, forward thinking
etruscans.
250
00:11:52,713 --> 00:11:54,245
Yes.
251
00:11:54,314 --> 00:11:57,549
And these folks look like
they're wearing almost togas,
252
00:11:57,650 --> 00:12:00,719
Which is again, something
I think of as being roman.
253
00:12:00,721 --> 00:12:03,154
But I guess the toga
was around already.
254
00:12:03,256 --> 00:12:05,356
The toga was everywhere
in etruria.
255
00:12:05,425 --> 00:12:07,459
All right, sorry, roman togas.
256
00:12:07,527 --> 00:12:09,060
There's etruscan togas.
257
00:12:09,062 --> 00:12:10,729
Hate to break it to you.
258
00:12:10,731 --> 00:12:13,898
The etruscans seem to be
an enlightened society.
259
00:12:13,900 --> 00:12:16,000
So why don't we know more
about them?
260
00:12:17,537 --> 00:12:21,106
Dr. Ballelli leads me
to another subterranean tomb
261
00:12:21,108 --> 00:12:24,008
Which holds one of the most
mysterious clues
262
00:12:24,010 --> 00:12:25,910
From this lost civilization
263
00:12:26,813 --> 00:12:31,216
Oh, oh, my word.
Look at this place.
264
00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:42,393
Oh, oh, my word.
265
00:12:42,395 --> 00:12:44,562
Look at this place.
266
00:12:44,631 --> 00:12:47,532
I'm exploring the underworl
of the etruscans.
267
00:12:47,601 --> 00:12:50,101
A lost civilization
that I'm quickly learning
268
00:12:50,103 --> 00:12:51,803
Was extremely advanced.
269
00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:55,073
So what do we know
from this scene?
270
00:12:55,075 --> 00:12:56,808
We have, we have
mourners here?
271
00:12:56,810 --> 00:12:58,209
Yeah, mourners here.
272
00:12:58,211 --> 00:13:01,446
And they are identified
with inscription.
273
00:13:01,548 --> 00:13:03,548
[josh] this is writing.
Amazing.
274
00:13:03,617 --> 00:13:06,751
The etruscans had
their own sophisticated
language,
275
00:13:06,820 --> 00:13:09,721
But very few written example
of it survive.
276
00:13:09,723 --> 00:13:11,856
Without more inscriptions
like these,
277
00:13:11,958 --> 00:13:14,959
Historians aren't able
to decode the writing.
278
00:13:14,961 --> 00:13:18,530
So what percentage
of the etruscan language
279
00:13:18,532 --> 00:13:19,864
Can we understand?
280
00:13:21,701 --> 00:13:23,501
-30% only?
-Yeah.
281
00:13:26,039 --> 00:13:29,307
And then we have
this big scene on this wall.
282
00:13:29,309 --> 00:13:30,742
Help me understand this.
What,
283
00:13:30,811 --> 00:13:32,143
What are we looking at here?
284
00:13:39,853 --> 00:13:42,554
It's not just a funeral.
It's a spectacle.
285
00:13:42,655 --> 00:13:43,688
-It's an event.
-Yes.
286
00:13:43,690 --> 00:13:44,823
Wow.
287
00:13:44,825 --> 00:13:47,458
This gory fighting scene
depicts a slave
288
00:13:47,494 --> 00:13:50,528
Who is in this case,
also a professional fighter
289
00:13:50,530 --> 00:13:52,964
Which come to think of it
rings a bell.
290
00:13:53,066 --> 00:13:54,599
So slaves who are
professional fighters
291
00:13:54,601 --> 00:13:56,801
Brought here to entertain
this family?
292
00:13:56,803 --> 00:13:59,304
-Yes.
-Which sounds a lot
like gladiators.
293
00:13:59,306 --> 00:14:01,940
That sounds like something
we see later in rome, right
294
00:14:01,942 --> 00:14:03,708
That's exactly right.
295
00:14:03,710 --> 00:14:05,543
So, wait a minute, this,
this thing that
296
00:14:05,645 --> 00:14:08,446
We totally associate
with rome,
297
00:14:08,548 --> 00:14:09,981
Gladiator games,
298
00:14:09,983 --> 00:14:11,816
I mean, there's,
there's nothing that
we think of is more roman
299
00:14:11,818 --> 00:14:14,519
Than that. It comes
from the etruscans?
300
00:14:14,521 --> 00:14:16,554
-Yes, for sure.
-Wow.
301
00:14:16,590 --> 00:14:18,223
That's incredible.
302
00:14:18,225 --> 00:14:20,491
And across from
our etruscan gladiator
303
00:14:20,493 --> 00:14:22,126
Is an unusual figure.
304
00:14:23,830 --> 00:14:26,064
So, phersu, what does that,
what does that word mean?
305
00:14:27,934 --> 00:14:29,500
Okay, and that's what
he's wearing,
306
00:14:29,502 --> 00:14:31,536
This red covering on his face?
307
00:14:31,638 --> 00:14:33,905
The character is perhaps
an actor playing
308
00:14:33,907 --> 00:14:35,440
A kind of executioner.
309
00:14:35,541 --> 00:14:37,909
Again, without more writing
it's hard to know.
310
00:14:37,911 --> 00:14:40,411
But this phersu
has trickled down
311
00:14:40,413 --> 00:14:42,046
To our own language.
312
00:14:49,923 --> 00:14:51,956
So the word persona
and the word person
313
00:14:51,958 --> 00:14:54,058
That we use today
comes from phersu?
314
00:14:54,127 --> 00:14:55,260
-Comes from the etruscans?
-Yes.
315
00:14:55,328 --> 00:14:57,495
Who knew every time we use
the word person,
316
00:14:57,497 --> 00:14:59,631
We owe a debt
to the etruscans?
317
00:14:59,633 --> 00:15:01,833
And what do we think
these birds represent here?
318
00:15:01,935 --> 00:15:05,136
The birds are probably
associated to the augury.
319
00:15:06,439 --> 00:15:08,907
Okay, so augury
is kind of weird.
320
00:15:08,909 --> 00:15:11,309
In this case, it is
the mystic art of reading
321
00:15:11,311 --> 00:15:14,312
The patterns of birds
in flight to tell fortunes.
322
00:15:14,314 --> 00:15:17,615
Etruscans were also big
into haruspicy,
323
00:15:17,617 --> 00:15:20,318
A killer scrabble word
to find as reading
324
00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:22,720
The livers of animals
to predict the future.
325
00:15:22,722 --> 00:15:26,257
But apparently, the etruscan
were really good at it.
326
00:15:26,326 --> 00:15:28,626
So much so that
the romans later employed
327
00:15:28,628 --> 00:15:32,030
Etruscans to practice
this strange magic.
328
00:15:32,032 --> 00:15:33,865
And speaking of
the supernatural,
329
00:15:33,933 --> 00:15:36,000
I'm led into one last tomb,
330
00:15:36,002 --> 00:15:39,103
One that is decidedly darke
than all the rest.
331
00:15:44,044 --> 00:15:47,512
-The blue demons? Okay,
this blue character here,
-yes.
332
00:15:47,514 --> 00:15:50,014
-And somebody here
with blue eyes and blue hair.
-Yeah.
333
00:15:50,550 --> 00:15:52,417
That's right, demons,
334
00:15:52,419 --> 00:15:55,520
And as time marched on,
the depiction of these demon
335
00:15:55,522 --> 00:15:57,522
Grew more and more dark.
336
00:16:06,499 --> 00:16:09,200
These monsters appear
to represent a threat,
337
00:16:09,202 --> 00:16:12,603
A rising enemy to
the very existence
of the etruscans.
338
00:16:12,605 --> 00:16:14,105
But at that point,
when we see them
339
00:16:14,107 --> 00:16:16,240
In their darkest
representations.
340
00:16:16,309 --> 00:16:17,942
-Yeah.
-Rome is coming.
341
00:16:19,479 --> 00:16:23,414
By the fourth century bce,
rome is beginning to expand
342
00:16:23,416 --> 00:16:27,352
And only 100 years after tha
they've conquered etruria.
343
00:16:29,556 --> 00:16:32,957
To learn more, I thank
dr. Ballelli and take
to the road,
344
00:16:32,959 --> 00:16:35,793
Happy to return to the land
of the living.
345
00:16:35,795 --> 00:16:39,697
The tombs here in tarquinia
tell us a lot about the lives
346
00:16:39,699 --> 00:16:41,332
Of the elusive etruscans,
347
00:16:41,401 --> 00:16:43,101
But history has done
a pretty good job
348
00:16:43,103 --> 00:16:45,103
Of obscuring their full story.
349
00:16:45,105 --> 00:16:47,605
To solve more of
the etruscan mysteries,
350
00:16:47,607 --> 00:16:49,640
Where they're from,
how they fell,
351
00:16:49,709 --> 00:16:52,010
And what made them
so powerful,
352
00:16:52,012 --> 00:16:54,946
We have to do more than
just visit historic sites.
353
00:16:55,015 --> 00:16:56,814
We have to dig.
354
00:16:56,816 --> 00:16:59,851
I floor my fiat toward
another etruscan settlement
355
00:16:59,952 --> 00:17:01,619
About 30 miles away.
356
00:17:01,621 --> 00:17:04,355
That is if I don't get stuc
trying to navigate through
357
00:17:04,457 --> 00:17:05,823
The tightest streets in ital
358
00:17:07,861 --> 00:17:11,529
Very narrow. Okay. Oh!
359
00:17:11,531 --> 00:17:14,499
This is the charming
town of barbarano romano.
360
00:17:14,501 --> 00:17:17,201
It's 1000 years old
and one of the prettiest
361
00:17:17,203 --> 00:17:18,803
Little villages in Italy.
362
00:17:18,805 --> 00:17:21,506
I'd stop, but there's no wa
the doors would open.
363
00:17:22,308 --> 00:17:23,608
[exclaims]
364
00:17:24,711 --> 00:17:26,110
We're alive.
365
00:17:27,247 --> 00:17:29,580
I make it through
with both my side mirrors
366
00:17:29,649 --> 00:17:33,117
And drive on, reaching
the hills of san giuliano.
367
00:17:33,119 --> 00:17:35,720
My gps leads me
to a wooded area
368
00:17:35,722 --> 00:17:38,322
Where I hike up to discover
an active dig.
369
00:17:38,324 --> 00:17:40,925
And archaeologist
dr. Davide zori.
370
00:17:40,927 --> 00:17:43,461
-Look at this beautiful site.
-Yeah, archaeological
paradise.
371
00:17:43,563 --> 00:17:44,629
[josh] yeah, it's amazing.
372
00:17:44,631 --> 00:17:46,064
This is a flag
I recognize here.
373
00:17:46,066 --> 00:17:47,465
It is, the explorers
club flag.
374
00:17:47,533 --> 00:17:48,900
Yeah, you're in
some good company.
375
00:17:48,902 --> 00:17:50,101
Yes, we are.
376
00:17:50,103 --> 00:17:53,137
[josh] the explorers club
was founded in 1904
377
00:17:53,206 --> 00:17:56,340
To celebrate accomplishment
in field sciences.
378
00:17:56,409 --> 00:17:58,543
It's a gathering place
for trailblazers,
379
00:17:58,644 --> 00:18:01,546
And its daring members
have included teddy roosevel
380
00:18:01,614 --> 00:18:04,048
Sir edmund hillary,
buzz aldrin,
381
00:18:04,050 --> 00:18:06,617
And, you know,
charming tv hosts.
382
00:18:06,619 --> 00:18:09,921
Since 1918, flags like this
one have been carried
383
00:18:09,923 --> 00:18:11,823
To the farthest corners
of the earth,
384
00:18:11,825 --> 00:18:14,092
And even into outer space.
385
00:18:14,094 --> 00:18:16,327
Okay, so let's talk about
what's going on here
in central Italy.
386
00:18:16,329 --> 00:18:17,795
What's happening at this site?
387
00:18:17,797 --> 00:18:20,098
-Let me show you.
-All right, please. Yeah.
388
00:18:20,100 --> 00:18:22,433
Davide brings me
to see his site.
389
00:18:22,535 --> 00:18:25,236
His project was partially
financed by a discovery
390
00:18:25,338 --> 00:18:27,605
Expedition grant working
in partnership
391
00:18:27,607 --> 00:18:29,507
With the explorers club.
392
00:18:29,509 --> 00:18:31,809
This was originally
an etruscan site.
393
00:18:31,811 --> 00:18:33,211
This was a large
etruscan town,
394
00:18:33,213 --> 00:18:35,713
Several thousand people
living up here.
395
00:18:35,715 --> 00:18:37,415
And let's talk about
why they're here.
396
00:18:37,417 --> 00:18:38,950
We're up on a big hill here.
397
00:18:39,018 --> 00:18:41,652
So is that why they're here?
Because it's defensible?
398
00:18:41,754 --> 00:18:43,521
That's why they're here.
The most defensible
399
00:18:43,523 --> 00:18:47,291
-Are the isolated plateaus
that are defensible
-yeah.
400
00:18:47,293 --> 00:18:48,960
On all approaches.
401
00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:51,095
And in this period,
you want a well defended site,
402
00:18:51,097 --> 00:18:54,365
Because folks seem
to be allies
403
00:18:54,433 --> 00:18:56,134
-Than enemies a lot, right?
-Right.
404
00:18:56,202 --> 00:18:59,804
So these etruscan city states,
there's an etruscan league
of 12 cities,
405
00:18:59,806 --> 00:19:01,339
And sometimes they're allie
with each other,
406
00:19:01,407 --> 00:19:03,174
-Let's say fighting
against rome,
-yeah.
407
00:19:03,176 --> 00:19:04,709
Or other external enemies.
408
00:19:04,711 --> 00:19:06,277
But when not fighting
external enemies,
409
00:19:06,279 --> 00:19:07,478
They're trying to kill
each other.
410
00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,046
Right, this is, this is
real game of thrones.
411
00:19:09,048 --> 00:19:11,149
-Absolutely. That's exactly...
-Like it is.
412
00:19:11,250 --> 00:19:13,317
I mean, minus the dragons.
It's game of thrones, righ?
413
00:19:13,319 --> 00:19:14,552
Right, right.
414
00:19:14,554 --> 00:19:16,821
But the challenge is findin
the etruscans under
415
00:19:16,823 --> 00:19:18,823
The other layers of history
416
00:19:18,825 --> 00:19:21,626
Davide leads me to where
his team is hard at work
417
00:19:21,628 --> 00:19:23,861
Digging into the more
recent part of the site,
418
00:19:23,930 --> 00:19:26,063
Which is still 1000 years ol
419
00:19:26,065 --> 00:19:28,399
You got an army at work here.
What's, what's,
what's going on?
420
00:19:28,401 --> 00:19:32,036
Yes, this archaeological army
is excavating inside of
421
00:19:32,038 --> 00:19:33,804
A medieval crypt.
422
00:19:33,806 --> 00:19:36,107
So here in this crypt,
we have these,
these cuts here,
423
00:19:36,109 --> 00:19:37,208
These are all burials?
424
00:19:37,210 --> 00:19:39,877
These are all medieval
christian burials
425
00:19:39,879 --> 00:19:43,714
With their heads to the west,
which is classic
medieval tradition.
426
00:19:43,716 --> 00:19:46,551
These remarkable burials
show us just how long
427
00:19:46,652 --> 00:19:48,653
This plateau was occupied.
428
00:19:48,754 --> 00:19:52,123
There's even the footprint
of a large hall from
a medieval castle,
429
00:19:52,125 --> 00:19:54,225
You really just barely have
to squint
430
00:19:54,227 --> 00:19:56,060
And you can totally imagine
this place.
431
00:19:56,128 --> 00:19:57,394
You can see it, right?
432
00:19:57,396 --> 00:20:00,898
But the middle ages, right?
We're in, like, 1100 ad here.
433
00:20:00,900 --> 00:20:03,501
-Correct.
-We got to go back 1500,
434
00:20:03,503 --> 00:20:06,103
2000 years earlier
to get to the etruscans.
435
00:20:06,105 --> 00:20:08,239
They were up here, right?
436
00:20:08,308 --> 00:20:10,041
They were living
in this same spot.
437
00:20:10,142 --> 00:20:11,342
This would have been
the ritual heart
438
00:20:11,410 --> 00:20:12,677
-Of their cities.
-Right.
439
00:20:12,679 --> 00:20:14,812
So there would have been
temples and houses
up here for sure.
440
00:20:14,814 --> 00:20:17,181
And we can't go
any deeper here to find them.
441
00:20:17,183 --> 00:20:19,350
-Because this is bedrock.
-We're on bedrock.
442
00:20:19,452 --> 00:20:20,952
So how do we get
to the etruscans?
443
00:20:21,053 --> 00:20:24,021
I think there's still remains
underneath this bedrock...
444
00:20:24,023 --> 00:20:26,457
-Okay.
-...In the subterranean parts
of their city.
445
00:20:26,559 --> 00:20:28,125
Okay. And how do we get there?
446
00:20:28,127 --> 00:20:29,594
We got to find
another way down.
447
00:20:29,596 --> 00:20:30,728
I'll show you.
448
00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:32,530
Okay.
We're going down.
449
00:20:35,034 --> 00:20:37,201
We walk over to the edge
of the plateau
450
00:20:37,203 --> 00:20:39,503
Where I immediately notice
two things.
451
00:20:39,505 --> 00:20:42,006
A lot of rope
and a very steep drop.
452
00:20:43,042 --> 00:20:44,174
What is this?
453
00:20:44,210 --> 00:20:47,011
We've arrived at the edge
of the etruscan city.
454
00:20:47,013 --> 00:20:49,614
[josh] like literally
the edge,
there is a cliff here
455
00:20:49,616 --> 00:20:52,049
That drops straight down.
Okay.
456
00:20:52,151 --> 00:20:53,651
And what is all this?
457
00:20:53,753 --> 00:20:56,053
This is the rigging
that's going to take us down
458
00:20:56,055 --> 00:20:57,221
Over the edge.
459
00:20:57,223 --> 00:20:59,257
No. Why? What,
what is down here?
460
00:20:59,358 --> 00:21:01,392
There's a tunnel made
by the etruscans.
461
00:21:01,394 --> 00:21:03,861
We saw it with the drone,
we map the edge of the plateau
462
00:21:03,930 --> 00:21:07,398
And we saw a tunnel
leading in underneath
the city.
463
00:21:07,400 --> 00:21:09,233
Okay, and what is it?
464
00:21:09,302 --> 00:21:11,135
We think it's a water
management system.
465
00:21:12,138 --> 00:21:13,504
Are you trying to say sewer?
466
00:21:13,506 --> 00:21:14,905
-It's a sewer.
-It's a sewer.
467
00:21:14,907 --> 00:21:16,407
We're climbing into
an ancient sewer.
468
00:21:16,409 --> 00:21:19,010
-Good idea, right?
-Yeah, no, it's one
of your best. Yeah.
469
00:21:19,712 --> 00:21:20,845
Here we go.
470
00:21:22,181 --> 00:21:23,948
To learn about
the etruscan city
471
00:21:24,050 --> 00:21:25,850
From the perspective
of their sewer,
472
00:21:25,951 --> 00:21:28,619
Davide and I gear up
and prepare to rappel down
473
00:21:28,621 --> 00:21:29,954
The cliff.
474
00:21:30,056 --> 00:21:32,023
-You ready?
-I'm excited to go down
and see it.
475
00:21:32,025 --> 00:21:33,257
Are you excited?
476
00:21:33,326 --> 00:21:34,792
You don't look...
If I'm being honest,
477
00:21:34,794 --> 00:21:36,227
You don't look that excited.
478
00:21:36,229 --> 00:21:37,428
You're not scared
of heights, are you?
479
00:21:37,430 --> 00:21:38,996
-I'm very scared of heights.
-Are you really?
480
00:21:38,998 --> 00:21:40,464
-Yeah.
-Let me give you a tip,
481
00:21:40,500 --> 00:21:41,832
Some people say
don't look down.
482
00:21:41,934 --> 00:21:44,201
-Yeah.
-The real key is
don't do things like this
483
00:21:44,203 --> 00:21:45,036
In the first place.
484
00:21:45,038 --> 00:21:46,103
-Right.
-That's the secret.
485
00:21:46,105 --> 00:21:47,505
I've been trying to avoid this
my whole life.
486
00:21:47,507 --> 00:21:49,407
Perfect. Okay.
Well, today's the day.
487
00:21:49,409 --> 00:21:50,708
All right, we're ready?
488
00:21:53,212 --> 00:21:54,412
[laughs]
489
00:21:54,414 --> 00:21:55,579
All right.
490
00:21:55,581 --> 00:21:58,149
-Davide, ciao.
-[speaking italian]
491
00:21:58,818 --> 00:22:00,318
All right, I'm headed down.
492
00:22:04,524 --> 00:22:06,324
[laughs] don't look down.
493
00:22:12,332 --> 00:22:14,498
Hey, davide, I can see
a tunnel.
494
00:22:14,500 --> 00:22:15,800
We got an opening.
495
00:22:21,441 --> 00:22:23,040
Yeah, there's an opening here.
496
00:22:23,042 --> 00:22:24,675
What do you see down there?
497
00:22:24,677 --> 00:22:27,511
It looks like a narrow slot
that goes back.
498
00:22:27,513 --> 00:22:29,547
-Can we get in?
-Yeah, I think we could drop
right into it.
499
00:22:29,615 --> 00:22:30,948
Here we go.
500
00:22:30,950 --> 00:22:33,818
Archaeologist and explorers
club member dr. Davide zori
501
00:22:33,820 --> 00:22:36,787
And I are rappelling down
into an ancient sewer
502
00:22:36,789 --> 00:22:39,123
Beneath a lost
etruscan city,
503
00:22:39,125 --> 00:22:41,525
Hoping to find rare artifact
from the people
504
00:22:41,527 --> 00:22:42,927
Who once lived here.
505
00:22:42,929 --> 00:22:44,562
Okay, I'm coming into
the tunnel.
506
00:22:48,334 --> 00:22:50,901
Okay, got a little bit
of purchase here.
507
00:22:53,706 --> 00:22:55,206
Okay, I got a little
handhold here.
508
00:22:55,208 --> 00:22:57,908
I can see the tunnel, man.
It goes way back.
509
00:22:57,910 --> 00:22:59,410
All right, josh, I'm coming.
510
00:23:00,813 --> 00:23:01,712
Look at this.
511
00:23:02,548 --> 00:23:04,048
Now it's david's turn.
512
00:23:05,718 --> 00:23:07,718
Oh, good lord, that's high.
513
00:23:08,121 --> 00:23:09,420
Ooh.
514
00:23:11,524 --> 00:23:13,023
Okay, davide, you got this.
515
00:23:13,025 --> 00:23:14,391
I think I can get down.
516
00:23:14,393 --> 00:23:16,026
Yep, like, right here,
there's a little foothold
right here.
517
00:23:16,028 --> 00:23:17,161
Okay.
518
00:23:23,503 --> 00:23:24,668
Boom.
519
00:23:24,670 --> 00:23:27,204
Okay. Let's see what's
in the dark here.
520
00:23:30,977 --> 00:23:32,343
How are the spiders
back there?
521
00:23:32,879 --> 00:23:34,145
What does that mean?
522
00:23:34,213 --> 00:23:35,413
Should I be expecting
to see them?
523
00:23:35,415 --> 00:23:37,515
-You should.
-Oh, yeah.
524
00:23:37,517 --> 00:23:41,018
There's, like, some
hollywood style spider
webs down here, dude.
525
00:23:41,020 --> 00:23:42,720
Don't worry, they usually
don't bite.
526
00:23:45,224 --> 00:23:47,658
All right, walk me through
this place. We are in a sewer.
527
00:23:47,660 --> 00:23:49,226
We're in a water pipe
literally?
528
00:23:49,228 --> 00:23:51,862
We're in a etruscan pipe
underneath the city.
529
00:23:51,864 --> 00:23:54,965
And 2700 years ago, these guys
are advanced enough
530
00:23:54,967 --> 00:23:56,300
That they're building stuff
like this?
531
00:23:56,302 --> 00:23:58,035
Yeah, they're the most
advanced culture
532
00:23:58,037 --> 00:24:00,104
And central Italy,
definitely in terms
of engineering,
533
00:24:00,106 --> 00:24:01,772
You can tell
they're master engineers.
534
00:24:01,774 --> 00:24:03,707
They're collecting water
to use,
535
00:24:03,709 --> 00:24:06,610
They're collecting cisterns,
so they can draw the water up
536
00:24:06,612 --> 00:24:08,879
On top of their city
for drinking water.
537
00:24:08,881 --> 00:24:12,049
They're also making sure
that the water stays off
538
00:24:12,051 --> 00:24:14,318
-Of the top of the plateau.
-Like storm drains?
539
00:24:14,320 --> 00:24:17,321
Yeah, these are usable,
manageable systems
540
00:24:17,323 --> 00:24:19,223
Of drainage
and water collection.
541
00:24:19,225 --> 00:24:21,926
I mean, when I think about
this kind of engineering,
542
00:24:21,928 --> 00:24:23,227
I think about rome.
543
00:24:23,229 --> 00:24:25,529
That's right. The drainage
of the roman forum
544
00:24:25,531 --> 00:24:28,032
Was accomplished during
the reign of
the etruscan kings.
545
00:24:28,034 --> 00:24:31,101
Almost 3000 years ago,
the roman forum
546
00:24:31,103 --> 00:24:33,504
Was marshland along
the tiber river,
547
00:24:33,506 --> 00:24:36,740
But an etruscan king
during the earliest days
of rome
548
00:24:36,742 --> 00:24:38,976
Commissioned massive
drainage systems
549
00:24:38,978 --> 00:24:41,312
That made the area habitable
550
00:24:41,314 --> 00:24:43,881
Cutting edge for the etrusca
and rome has been
551
00:24:43,883 --> 00:24:45,883
Bragging about it ever since
552
00:24:45,885 --> 00:24:48,619
Literally rome was built
on etruscan engineering.
553
00:24:48,621 --> 00:24:50,554
So all that talk about
roman sewers
554
00:24:50,656 --> 00:24:52,890
And water management,
that starts here?
555
00:24:52,892 --> 00:24:54,558
It starts in
the etruscan cities.
556
00:24:54,660 --> 00:24:55,526
Wow.
557
00:24:55,528 --> 00:24:56,961
I mean, that's insane.
558
00:24:56,963 --> 00:24:58,629
So every time I flush
my toilet?
559
00:24:58,631 --> 00:25:01,365
-Think of the etruscans.
-Think of the etruscans.
560
00:25:01,433 --> 00:25:03,000
This is crazy, dude.
561
00:25:03,002 --> 00:25:05,903
So the question is
what's left in
the sewers here?
562
00:25:05,905 --> 00:25:07,204
-Let's find it.
-Yeah.
563
00:25:07,206 --> 00:25:08,506
Let's see what's here,
come on.
564
00:25:12,678 --> 00:25:14,345
It's almost getting
a little shorter.
565
00:25:14,446 --> 00:25:15,713
Yeah.
566
00:25:15,715 --> 00:25:17,982
Just like today, all manner
of personal articles
567
00:25:17,984 --> 00:25:20,518
Would get flushed into
the sewers of etruria.
568
00:25:20,520 --> 00:25:23,354
Remind me to wash my hands
when we get out of here.
569
00:25:23,422 --> 00:25:25,623
Definitely a layer
of fill here on the ground.
570
00:25:25,625 --> 00:25:27,157
Looks like pottery here,
look at this.
571
00:25:31,097 --> 00:25:32,830
We got a piece of pottery.
572
00:25:33,833 --> 00:25:35,699
Yeah, this pottery looks
medieval
573
00:25:36,536 --> 00:25:38,302
And that makes sense
because they built
574
00:25:38,304 --> 00:25:39,603
A medieval castle on top.
575
00:25:39,672 --> 00:25:41,539
-Right.
-And then they reutilized
these tunnels.
576
00:25:41,640 --> 00:25:43,507
Right, these, these tunnels
were still perfectly good
577
00:25:43,509 --> 00:25:45,242
-At that time.
-Oh, yeah.
578
00:25:46,379 --> 00:25:47,978
Much like the ground above,
579
00:25:47,980 --> 00:25:50,614
This tunnel was repurposed
through the middle ages,
580
00:25:50,616 --> 00:25:52,950
Which means we might have
to pick through some thorns
581
00:25:52,952 --> 00:25:54,518
Before we find a rose.
582
00:25:57,523 --> 00:26:01,125
Davide, I got something here
that feels like...
583
00:26:01,127 --> 00:26:04,028
First I thought it was
a piece of stone,
but it's, like, waxy.
584
00:26:04,564 --> 00:26:05,529
It's a candle.
585
00:26:05,531 --> 00:26:07,298
-This is a candle?
-Yeah.
586
00:26:07,300 --> 00:26:08,399
It is a candle. Look at that,
587
00:26:08,401 --> 00:26:09,300
I can actually see
the wick in it.
588
00:26:09,302 --> 00:26:10,501
Wait, when is this from?
589
00:26:10,503 --> 00:26:12,770
-It's not etruscan,
it's not medieval.
-No.
590
00:26:12,772 --> 00:26:14,538
Like, that's pretty modern.
591
00:26:14,640 --> 00:26:17,608
It's remnants of a looter
probably having worked
in here.
592
00:26:17,710 --> 00:26:19,276
Wow. That's crazy.
593
00:26:19,278 --> 00:26:20,811
Evidence of tomb raiders
right there,
594
00:26:20,913 --> 00:26:22,112
Although I guess they're
not tomb raiders,
595
00:26:22,114 --> 00:26:24,348
They're sewage raiders? Yeah.
596
00:26:24,417 --> 00:26:26,617
Poop raiders.
597
00:26:26,686 --> 00:26:30,321
The looters obviously left
this candle here
by "wax-ccident."
598
00:26:30,323 --> 00:26:31,789
I know, one of my worst.
599
00:26:31,791 --> 00:26:34,325
The question is what else
did they leave?
600
00:26:35,861 --> 00:26:38,529
Soon the tunnel narrows
and forks.
601
00:26:38,531 --> 00:26:41,165
Davide should probably get
a look at what's ahead
602
00:26:41,200 --> 00:26:42,700
Somehow.
603
00:26:42,801 --> 00:26:44,101
You're gonna have to get
ahead of me,
604
00:26:44,103 --> 00:26:46,904
Although I have no idea
how that's gonna happen.
605
00:26:46,906 --> 00:26:49,206
-Okay.
-Can you get over me?
606
00:26:49,208 --> 00:26:52,476
I can't, man, there's three
of these cave spiders right
above you.
607
00:26:52,478 --> 00:26:54,411
-What kind of spider?
-A cave spider.
608
00:26:54,413 --> 00:26:57,047
Just don't tell me about
that and climb over me.
609
00:26:57,049 --> 00:26:59,416
[chuckles] wow,
those are really ugly spiders.
610
00:26:59,418 --> 00:27:00,718
Okay, this is great.
611
00:27:00,819 --> 00:27:03,320
I'm laying facedown
in ancient sewer.
612
00:27:03,322 --> 00:27:04,722
You smell anything?
613
00:27:04,823 --> 00:27:06,457
Just my career drying up.
614
00:27:06,558 --> 00:27:07,791
[laughs]
615
00:27:07,793 --> 00:27:09,827
Oh, yeah, how many creatures
can get in this tunnel?
616
00:27:09,829 --> 00:27:10,928
Oh, my god.
617
00:27:10,930 --> 00:27:13,230
All right, here you go.
I'm almost there.
618
00:27:13,232 --> 00:27:15,799
This is, this is
very intimate.
619
00:27:15,901 --> 00:27:17,101
[laughs]
620
00:27:18,404 --> 00:27:19,803
I can see what you mean.
621
00:27:19,905 --> 00:27:21,105
Divides in two.
622
00:27:21,107 --> 00:27:22,706
[josh] all right,
so what's our move?
623
00:27:22,708 --> 00:27:25,509
I think we've come almost
as far as we can.
624
00:27:25,511 --> 00:27:28,612
If the looters left anything
from the etruscan period,
625
00:27:28,614 --> 00:27:29,947
This is where we'd find it.
626
00:27:32,418 --> 00:27:33,717
Back to digging.
627
00:27:38,791 --> 00:27:42,159
Yes, this is kind of a loose,
loose debris on top.
628
00:27:42,228 --> 00:27:45,095
But then within just
a couple centimeters,
629
00:27:45,097 --> 00:27:47,865
You get to this
more hardpacked stuff.
630
00:27:47,867 --> 00:27:52,202
I think this is slowly
filled up in
the medieval period.
631
00:27:52,204 --> 00:27:53,504
Uh-huh.
632
00:27:59,245 --> 00:28:00,911
Oh, here you go.
Here's something.
633
00:28:00,913 --> 00:28:02,212
What do you got?
634
00:28:02,347 --> 00:28:03,714
A piece of black pottery?
635
00:28:03,816 --> 00:28:05,516
-Let me see.
-Yeah.
636
00:28:05,518 --> 00:28:06,684
Here you go.
637
00:28:08,254 --> 00:28:09,520
See what I mean?
638
00:28:09,522 --> 00:28:11,321
Yeah, it's just black
on the outside.
639
00:28:11,323 --> 00:28:13,123
I think it could be bucchero
640
00:28:13,125 --> 00:28:15,559
Bucchero is the signature
ceramic style
641
00:28:15,661 --> 00:28:16,760
Of the etruscans.
642
00:28:16,762 --> 00:28:19,329
Gleaming black thanks
to a unique method
643
00:28:19,331 --> 00:28:20,964
For firing the pottery.
644
00:28:20,966 --> 00:28:25,135
To think that this could be
2500 years old is crazy.
645
00:28:25,204 --> 00:28:28,305
And maybe just a little trace
of the etruscans here,
646
00:28:28,307 --> 00:28:29,807
But, man, they are elusive.
647
00:28:29,809 --> 00:28:31,208
Yeah, you're telling me
about it.
648
00:28:31,210 --> 00:28:32,342
[laughs] I know.
649
00:28:32,411 --> 00:28:34,178
These tunnels though
look pretty clean.
650
00:28:34,180 --> 00:28:36,080
You know, some,
some medieval refuse,
651
00:28:36,082 --> 00:28:38,348
But looks like the looters
have been through here,
652
00:28:38,417 --> 00:28:40,517
So I don't think
we're gonna find anything
653
00:28:40,519 --> 00:28:41,885
Major down here, do you?
654
00:28:41,887 --> 00:28:44,254
Not from the etruscan
period, but you ain't seen
nothing yet.
655
00:28:44,356 --> 00:28:46,423
-Really?
-There's a part of this site
656
00:28:46,425 --> 00:28:47,725
That will blow your mind.
657
00:28:47,727 --> 00:28:49,226
Okay.
658
00:28:49,228 --> 00:28:51,095
Better than
the sewers, davide?
659
00:28:51,097 --> 00:28:52,529
Well, this is hard to beat,
660
00:28:52,531 --> 00:28:54,898
But there's a part
of this site that will
make your jaw drop.
661
00:28:54,900 --> 00:28:57,034
-Really?
-Etruscan. Absolutely.
662
00:28:57,036 --> 00:28:58,435
All right, let's move.
Here we go.
663
00:28:59,705 --> 00:29:01,705
Davide and I returned
to the surface
664
00:29:01,774 --> 00:29:05,442
Having seen firsthand
the ingenuity of
etruscan plumbing.
665
00:29:05,511 --> 00:29:08,512
But to understand more
about who the etruscans were
666
00:29:08,514 --> 00:29:11,181
What else they accomplished
and where they went,
667
00:29:11,183 --> 00:29:13,450
Davide leads me to a part
of their city
668
00:29:13,519 --> 00:29:16,053
That needs to be seen
to be believed.
669
00:29:19,024 --> 00:29:21,058
Okay, take a look
at this landscape.
670
00:29:21,060 --> 00:29:23,961
This is crazy.
It's like we're in
a slot canyon.
671
00:29:23,963 --> 00:29:26,029
Exactly like that,
but it's a road.
672
00:29:26,031 --> 00:29:27,097
This is a road?
673
00:29:27,099 --> 00:29:29,666
This is an etruscan road
carved into the hillside
674
00:29:29,668 --> 00:29:32,402
To create a ramp leading down
through the necropolis
675
00:29:32,404 --> 00:29:33,503
And towards the city.
676
00:29:33,505 --> 00:29:35,773
If you were an outsider
coming into the city,
677
00:29:35,775 --> 00:29:37,608
This would have looked
really imposing.
678
00:29:37,676 --> 00:29:39,710
Absolutely, there are
tombs everywhere here,
679
00:29:39,712 --> 00:29:41,678
Several layers of tombs
on the right
680
00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:43,614
And on the left on either side
681
00:29:43,682 --> 00:29:46,216
And looking down on us
as we approach the city.
682
00:29:47,553 --> 00:29:49,520
Known as etruscan cuts,
683
00:29:49,522 --> 00:29:53,824
Remains of roads like this o
can be found all over
central Italy.
684
00:29:53,826 --> 00:29:58,028
Before all roads lead
to rome, the etruscans
had things covered.
685
00:29:58,898 --> 00:30:00,931
The etruscans are
the road builders.
686
00:30:00,933 --> 00:30:03,100
That's right, they build
a whole network of roads
687
00:30:03,102 --> 00:30:05,402
Across the central
italian peninsula.
688
00:30:05,404 --> 00:30:08,605
And when rome comes,
they build on that
infrastructure
689
00:30:08,607 --> 00:30:11,108
And create the famous
roman road network.
690
00:30:11,110 --> 00:30:12,876
The etruscans need
a better pr agency.
691
00:30:12,878 --> 00:30:15,145
-Right? Can you work on that?
-I'm trying.
692
00:30:15,247 --> 00:30:17,014
I mean, because this is
another thing that
693
00:30:17,016 --> 00:30:19,049
We think of
as a roman innovation.
694
00:30:19,051 --> 00:30:21,285
The romans were
the original plagiarizers.
695
00:30:21,287 --> 00:30:24,321
They were masters
at taking innovations
of other cultures
696
00:30:24,323 --> 00:30:26,557
And incorporating them
into their own empire.
697
00:30:26,625 --> 00:30:29,626
Meanwhile, underneath
all that, etruscan highways.
698
00:30:29,695 --> 00:30:31,361
That's right,
and we're walking down one.
699
00:30:31,430 --> 00:30:32,796
Okay, let's see where
this road leads.
700
00:30:32,798 --> 00:30:34,431
-All right. Onward.
-Yeah, onward.
701
00:30:38,871 --> 00:30:42,506
Here the road has now spit us
out into a plaza,
702
00:30:42,508 --> 00:30:44,908
Tombs all surrounding us
703
00:30:44,910 --> 00:30:48,812
And we have entered into
the heart of the necropolis.
704
00:30:48,914 --> 00:30:50,614
Look at this place.
705
00:30:51,984 --> 00:30:54,418
These cities weren't just
built for the living.
706
00:30:54,420 --> 00:30:57,120
This is what's known as a ci
of the dead,
707
00:30:57,122 --> 00:30:59,456
A community of souls
that surrounded
708
00:30:59,558 --> 00:31:01,925
And watched over
the etruscans.
709
00:31:01,927 --> 00:31:04,628
This is insane.
I feel like I'm in angkor wat
710
00:31:04,697 --> 00:31:06,196
-In southeast asia.
-Looks like that, right?
711
00:31:06,198 --> 00:31:08,398
We've entered into
a different environment here
712
00:31:08,400 --> 00:31:09,533
In the bottom of the ravine.
713
00:31:09,602 --> 00:31:12,035
This area here is meant to be
awe inspiring.
714
00:31:12,037 --> 00:31:13,704
-It's meant to impress,
-yeah.
715
00:31:13,706 --> 00:31:15,205
It's meant to give
this sensation that
716
00:31:15,207 --> 00:31:16,673
We're entering into
a landscape
717
00:31:16,675 --> 00:31:18,942
That's already claimed
by the etruscans,
718
00:31:18,944 --> 00:31:20,210
By the inhabitants
of the city.
719
00:31:20,212 --> 00:31:22,713
Right? The etruscans are one
with this land.
720
00:31:22,781 --> 00:31:25,082
That's right and especially
this city is one
721
00:31:25,084 --> 00:31:26,283
With this landscape.
722
00:31:26,351 --> 00:31:28,886
-That's right.
-Maybe in contrast
to other etruscans,
723
00:31:28,888 --> 00:31:32,055
Remember, there's always
conflict and rivalry.
724
00:31:32,057 --> 00:31:33,724
-Right.
-Who's got
the best necropolis,
725
00:31:33,726 --> 00:31:35,425
Who's got the most
impressive tombs,
726
00:31:35,427 --> 00:31:37,527
All these are meant
to impress visitors,
727
00:31:37,529 --> 00:31:39,563
And maybe even
attract alliances.
728
00:31:39,632 --> 00:31:40,764
Right.
729
00:31:40,766 --> 00:31:42,900
And when it comes
to trying to impress,
730
00:31:42,902 --> 00:31:45,769
Davide leads me toward
a nearby clearing to see
731
00:31:45,771 --> 00:31:48,305
Just how far
the etruscans would go.
732
00:31:49,875 --> 00:31:51,408
-Whoa.
-Look at this.
733
00:31:51,410 --> 00:31:52,809
What is this thing?
734
00:32:00,019 --> 00:32:01,351
[josh] look at this thing.
735
00:32:01,420 --> 00:32:03,220
This is what's known
as a tumulus.
736
00:32:03,222 --> 00:32:04,621
A tumulus.
737
00:32:04,723 --> 00:32:07,224
It's a tomb cut into
the summit of a hill.
738
00:32:07,226 --> 00:32:08,892
[josh] literally cut into
the top of the hill?
739
00:32:08,894 --> 00:32:10,193
[david] that's right.
740
00:32:13,899 --> 00:32:18,302
So you have to imagine
this being kind of
the main tomb area
741
00:32:18,304 --> 00:32:20,170
Of a whole family
and there are tombs
742
00:32:20,172 --> 00:32:22,973
-Carved in all along
the outside of this tumulus.
-Right.
743
00:32:22,975 --> 00:32:24,608
And then there's one
of the biggest,
744
00:32:24,710 --> 00:32:25,942
The principal tomb,
745
00:32:25,944 --> 00:32:27,711
Which would have been maybe
for the founder of a dynasty
746
00:32:27,713 --> 00:32:29,813
Or definitely the leader
of that family group.
747
00:32:29,815 --> 00:32:32,449
-Wow, can we see it?
-Yeah, let's go.
748
00:32:33,452 --> 00:32:35,519
Would you look at this place.
749
00:32:36,889 --> 00:32:39,790
This is serious construction
that's cut out of the hill.
750
00:32:39,792 --> 00:32:41,792
A big passageway leading
into the main tomb,
751
00:32:41,794 --> 00:32:43,794
But you can see here
how it's carved into
752
00:32:43,796 --> 00:32:45,195
The summit of the hillside
753
00:32:45,197 --> 00:32:47,331
And then blocks are used
to build up the top
754
00:32:47,333 --> 00:32:49,232
To make an even more
impressive entryway.
755
00:32:49,301 --> 00:32:51,969
This is definitely like
the big boss' tomb.
756
00:32:51,971 --> 00:32:54,171
The big boss in the middle
of the seventh century bc
757
00:32:54,173 --> 00:32:55,305
Was buried right in here.
758
00:32:55,307 --> 00:32:57,207
-And what's going on inside?
-Let's go see.
759
00:32:59,445 --> 00:33:02,112
The painted chambers
we saw back in tarquinia
760
00:33:02,114 --> 00:33:04,548
Aren't the only type
of etruscan tomb.
761
00:33:04,649 --> 00:33:07,617
Here, we see them carving
what life may have been lik
762
00:33:07,719 --> 00:33:09,219
In three dimensions.
763
00:33:09,822 --> 00:33:11,521
Now, this is legit.
764
00:33:11,523 --> 00:33:13,423
Look at this carved columns.
765
00:33:13,425 --> 00:33:14,825
This is like very regal.
766
00:33:14,827 --> 00:33:16,727
Back in the day,
these huge family tombs,
767
00:33:16,729 --> 00:33:18,962
They must have looked
so impressive.
768
00:33:18,964 --> 00:33:20,797
I think they would have been
magnificent.
769
00:33:20,799 --> 00:33:23,200
Crowning the hilltops
of the necropolis
770
00:33:23,202 --> 00:33:25,502
On all the hills surrounding
the city of the living.
771
00:33:25,504 --> 00:33:27,504
Absolutely unbelievable.
772
00:33:28,407 --> 00:33:30,874
One such hilltop still exist
773
00:33:30,876 --> 00:33:33,777
A nearby etruscan
necropolis called cerveteri
774
00:33:33,779 --> 00:33:36,813
Has stone made to look
like wood beams,
775
00:33:36,815 --> 00:33:40,884
Benches, long hallways,
and detailed reliefs.
776
00:33:40,886 --> 00:33:43,687
There's even a carving
of a book on a night table,
777
00:33:43,689 --> 00:33:46,623
Evidence that the etruscans
once had literature,
778
00:33:46,625 --> 00:33:49,860
But those tombs like the one
I saw at tarquinia
779
00:33:49,862 --> 00:33:53,030
And even the sewer here
had been largely raided.
780
00:33:53,032 --> 00:33:55,198
When this tomb was discovered,
it had been looted?
781
00:33:55,200 --> 00:33:57,534
It had been looted.
We have some objects
782
00:33:57,636 --> 00:33:59,536
And some sculptures
from inside.
783
00:33:59,638 --> 00:34:02,773
For instance, there were
two griffins guarding
the entrance.
784
00:34:02,775 --> 00:34:05,242
This gives you an idea
of how important
the individual was.
785
00:34:05,343 --> 00:34:07,310
This really is a tomb
fit for a king.
786
00:34:07,312 --> 00:34:08,979
-Very high status.
-Yeah.
787
00:34:11,884 --> 00:34:15,085
Davide is determined to fin
undisturbed burials here
788
00:34:15,187 --> 00:34:17,721
At this site, which may
contain inscriptions
789
00:34:17,723 --> 00:34:20,123
That could unlock
etruscan language,
790
00:34:20,125 --> 00:34:22,125
As well as priceless
grave goods
791
00:34:22,194 --> 00:34:24,895
To explain their culture
and origins.
792
00:34:24,897 --> 00:34:27,831
But as it turns out, even so
of the tombs that have been
793
00:34:27,899 --> 00:34:30,967
Broken into
aren't totally empty.
794
00:34:30,969 --> 00:34:35,639
Right under our feet,
is an old funerary path
795
00:34:35,674 --> 00:34:38,775
That leads along the side
of a row of tombs.
796
00:34:38,777 --> 00:34:40,610
-There's one here.
-Huh?
797
00:34:40,612 --> 00:34:42,712
-And there's another one here.
-Oh, wow, look at this.
798
00:34:43,816 --> 00:34:45,082
I mean, I would never
have seen this.
799
00:34:45,084 --> 00:34:47,951
It's just totally filled up
and overgrown.
800
00:34:47,953 --> 00:34:50,420
This is a good example
of what the tombs look like
801
00:34:50,422 --> 00:34:51,822
When we first
encountered them.
802
00:34:51,923 --> 00:34:53,623
So why isn't this
fully covered?
803
00:34:53,692 --> 00:34:55,459
Because at some point
in the past,
804
00:34:55,560 --> 00:34:58,361
Somebody broke into this tomb
by removing the top lock
805
00:34:58,463 --> 00:34:59,496
Of the doorway.
806
00:34:59,498 --> 00:35:01,498
So it's been looted.
Has it been excavated?
807
00:35:01,500 --> 00:35:04,301
It has not been excavated,
but typically the looters
808
00:35:04,303 --> 00:35:06,703
Leave a wealth of information
inside the tomb for us
809
00:35:06,705 --> 00:35:08,338
-To document.
-Okay.
810
00:35:08,407 --> 00:35:10,173
-Do you want to go in?
-No.
811
00:35:10,175 --> 00:35:12,042
-There's science in there.
-No, there's spiders in there.
812
00:35:12,044 --> 00:35:14,611
-Spiders and science.
-Yeah, but a lot of spiders.
813
00:35:14,680 --> 00:35:16,113
-Let's go.
-You're going first though.
814
00:35:16,181 --> 00:35:17,214
All right.
815
00:35:17,683 --> 00:35:18,949
Spiders or not?
816
00:35:18,951 --> 00:35:20,317
We're going in.
817
00:35:23,922 --> 00:35:25,956
All right, here we go.
818
00:35:25,958 --> 00:35:27,424
[sighs]
819
00:35:29,194 --> 00:35:30,627
This is horrible.
820
00:35:31,530 --> 00:35:32,963
[grunts]
821
00:35:32,965 --> 00:35:34,731
Okay. Whoo.
822
00:35:34,733 --> 00:35:36,099
I'm in.
823
00:35:37,503 --> 00:35:38,502
Wow.
824
00:35:38,504 --> 00:35:40,604
This is awesome in here,
actually.
825
00:35:40,672 --> 00:35:42,706
Okay, so we've got
two beds here.
826
00:35:42,807 --> 00:35:45,442
With these kind
of lower bunks
carved out here.
827
00:35:45,511 --> 00:35:47,544
That's right, there's room
for two on each side here
828
00:35:47,612 --> 00:35:48,544
To be laid out.
829
00:35:48,614 --> 00:35:52,215
Each tomb has
its own particularities.
830
00:35:52,217 --> 00:35:53,550
All right, let's have
a look around, yeah?
831
00:36:00,826 --> 00:36:03,126
Oh, wow, josh, look over here.
832
00:36:03,228 --> 00:36:05,495
-What do you have?
-This is bone everywhere.
833
00:36:05,497 --> 00:36:07,831
Here, it's littered all
over this bed.
834
00:36:09,768 --> 00:36:11,801
All these little white flakes
that we see here,
835
00:36:11,803 --> 00:36:13,603
This big piece,
that's all human bone?
836
00:36:13,672 --> 00:36:15,038
[david] that's right.
837
00:36:15,040 --> 00:36:17,507
[josh] these remains
weren't deliberately damaged
838
00:36:17,509 --> 00:36:20,243
Chances are the ancient
brittle bones shattered
839
00:36:20,312 --> 00:36:22,512
As the tomb was being looted
840
00:36:22,514 --> 00:36:24,314
What is that? That dark thing?
841
00:36:24,316 --> 00:36:26,349
This is a piece of a bronze.
842
00:36:26,451 --> 00:36:28,418
Wow, look at that.
843
00:36:28,420 --> 00:36:30,187
What do you think
this is from?
844
00:36:30,189 --> 00:36:32,255
I think it would have been
a decorative element
845
00:36:32,324 --> 00:36:33,523
-Or...
-Something they were wearing?
846
00:36:33,525 --> 00:36:37,127
Yeah, probably a breastplate,
maybe part of a belt.
847
00:36:37,129 --> 00:36:38,795
These people would have
been laid out here
848
00:36:38,797 --> 00:36:40,263
-Wearing their best, right?
-They would have been
849
00:36:40,332 --> 00:36:42,098
Laid to rest
in their finest clothes.
850
00:36:42,100 --> 00:36:43,233
Right.
851
00:36:44,203 --> 00:36:47,037
Look at that.
It's the tooth, the molar.
852
00:36:47,039 --> 00:36:48,772
Oh, my word.
853
00:36:48,774 --> 00:36:51,174
That is a tooth,
that is a human tooth.
854
00:36:52,511 --> 00:36:54,344
[david] that is an etruscan
tooth right there.
855
00:36:54,412 --> 00:36:56,213
Not just a trace
of their pottery now,
856
00:36:56,215 --> 00:36:57,714
Not just a trace
of their architecture,
857
00:36:57,816 --> 00:36:59,616
But actually the remains
of an individual.
858
00:36:59,618 --> 00:37:01,418
That's right and this is
important data,
859
00:37:01,420 --> 00:37:04,020
We can do a series of analyses
on bones like this,
860
00:37:04,022 --> 00:37:06,356
That'll tell us about
the life, the diet,
861
00:37:06,458 --> 00:37:09,826
The health and migrations
and the origins of
862
00:37:09,828 --> 00:37:11,027
The etruscans.
863
00:37:11,096 --> 00:37:12,896
This is a big question,
their, their origins, right?
864
00:37:12,898 --> 00:37:15,098
-Right.
-Because they do seem to us
865
00:37:15,100 --> 00:37:18,435
To be this culture
that just kind of comes
out of nowhere,
866
00:37:18,503 --> 00:37:21,771
And people have been
debating their origin
since ancient times, right?
867
00:37:21,773 --> 00:37:23,773
That's right.
868
00:37:23,775 --> 00:37:26,109
From their writings,
the romans and greeks
869
00:37:26,211 --> 00:37:28,712
Looked at the etruscans
as an exotic culture
870
00:37:28,780 --> 00:37:31,414
That could not have been
from the italian peninsula.
871
00:37:32,884 --> 00:37:36,019
The roman writer livy
speculated they were
from turkey,
872
00:37:36,021 --> 00:37:37,921
Home of the mighty trojans.
873
00:37:37,923 --> 00:37:40,690
Others thought
they were originally
from greece,
874
00:37:40,692 --> 00:37:43,526
But because the etruscan
language hasn't survived,
875
00:37:43,528 --> 00:37:46,896
They've never been able
to speak for themselves.
876
00:37:46,898 --> 00:37:49,165
Recently, there's been
an increasing number
877
00:37:49,167 --> 00:37:51,534
Of genetic studies both using
modern populations
878
00:37:51,603 --> 00:37:53,903
-And ancient populations.
-Okay.
879
00:37:53,905 --> 00:37:57,807
And those studies may show us
where the etruscans
were really from.
880
00:37:57,809 --> 00:38:00,543
[josh] recently, scientists
gathered genetic informatio
881
00:38:00,645 --> 00:38:03,680
From the ancient remains
of 82 etruscans
882
00:38:03,682 --> 00:38:06,316
To compare the dna
against other ancient
883
00:38:06,318 --> 00:38:08,618
And modern peoples.
884
00:38:08,620 --> 00:38:11,321
Okay, so where are
they really from?
885
00:38:11,823 --> 00:38:13,523
Here.
886
00:38:13,525 --> 00:38:14,824
On the italian peninsula?
887
00:38:14,926 --> 00:38:16,426
In the middle of Italy.
888
00:38:16,428 --> 00:38:18,261
So they're not from
somewhere else at all.
889
00:38:18,330 --> 00:38:19,696
It doesn't seem that way.
890
00:38:19,698 --> 00:38:22,032
So they're just part
of this landscape.
891
00:38:22,034 --> 00:38:23,300
Literally, they're from here.
892
00:38:23,302 --> 00:38:25,101
-They're italians.
-They're italians.
893
00:38:25,103 --> 00:38:26,803
They're from here.
894
00:38:26,805 --> 00:38:30,540
Identifying the origins
of the etruscans
is a major win,
895
00:38:30,609 --> 00:38:32,942
But even with
these human remains,
896
00:38:32,944 --> 00:38:35,912
We're left with more questio
than answers.
897
00:38:35,914 --> 00:38:40,116
Right here in front of us,
we have in many pieces,
898
00:38:40,185 --> 00:38:41,718
An etruscan, an individual.
899
00:38:41,787 --> 00:38:43,019
A person.
900
00:38:43,021 --> 00:38:44,888
I don't think
that story is fully told.
901
00:38:46,692 --> 00:38:49,459
In order to fully know
who the etruscans were
902
00:38:49,528 --> 00:38:51,194
And why they fell to rome,
903
00:38:51,196 --> 00:38:54,030
Archaeologists need
unlooted tombs,
904
00:38:54,032 --> 00:38:56,900
But every burial david's tea
has found to date
905
00:38:56,902 --> 00:38:58,401
Has been robbed,
906
00:38:58,403 --> 00:39:01,304
And the tombs are hard
to locate since
they're overgrown,
907
00:39:01,306 --> 00:39:04,407
Buried or hidden along
steep cliffs.
908
00:39:04,409 --> 00:39:07,911
In other words, we need
some high tech help.
909
00:39:07,913 --> 00:39:10,180
Josh, this is forest,
laura and natalie
910
00:39:10,182 --> 00:39:11,314
From lidar, usa.
911
00:39:11,316 --> 00:39:13,116
I'm very familiar
with lidar, usa.
912
00:39:13,118 --> 00:39:14,684
I've worked with
your company before.
913
00:39:14,686 --> 00:39:16,619
Yes, you have, you worked
with our dad jeff
914
00:39:16,721 --> 00:39:18,121
-In roanoke.
-That's right.
915
00:39:18,189 --> 00:39:19,823
And my brother daniel
in guatemala.
916
00:39:19,825 --> 00:39:21,023
Yes, at el mirador.
917
00:39:21,092 --> 00:39:22,826
I think I made your brother
throw up in a helicopter.
918
00:39:27,632 --> 00:39:29,699
[laughing]
919
00:39:29,801 --> 00:39:31,334
-He's okay now?
-He's fine.
920
00:39:31,436 --> 00:39:33,069
He's recovered. Okay.
Sorry about that.
921
00:39:33,071 --> 00:39:35,038
Sorry. And here we are again.
922
00:39:35,040 --> 00:39:36,940
-Yeah.
-So, okay. Talk to me.
923
00:39:36,942 --> 00:39:38,041
What's, what, what's
the plan here?
924
00:39:38,043 --> 00:39:39,943
I'm excited about this
because this is,
925
00:39:39,945 --> 00:39:41,611
As you've seen
a very hard site,
926
00:39:41,613 --> 00:39:44,114
-Very challenging to actually
see what's on the surface.
-Yeah.
927
00:39:44,116 --> 00:39:45,515
A lot of hills,
a lot of vegetation.
928
00:39:45,517 --> 00:39:47,217
That's right, the lidar
will get us through
those trees.
929
00:39:47,219 --> 00:39:48,251
Right.
930
00:39:48,353 --> 00:39:51,054
The plan is for the lidar
to peer down and image
931
00:39:51,056 --> 00:39:53,623
Any additional cavities
around the site.
932
00:39:53,625 --> 00:39:56,726
Targets for potentially
unlooted tombs.
933
00:39:56,795 --> 00:39:59,229
And what kind of area
are we going to be scanning
here today?
934
00:39:59,231 --> 00:40:02,399
So we're looking at somewhere
around 250 acres.
935
00:40:02,401 --> 00:40:05,168
250 acres is a lot and that
will take this drone how long?
936
00:40:05,170 --> 00:40:06,503
About 15 minutes.
937
00:40:06,505 --> 00:40:09,005
15 minutes and in that
15 minutes or so,
938
00:40:09,007 --> 00:40:10,607
How many data points
will this collect?
939
00:40:10,609 --> 00:40:12,108
-Millions.
-Millions?
940
00:40:12,177 --> 00:40:13,710
It doesn't make any sense.
941
00:40:13,712 --> 00:40:15,412
-You ready to fly forrest?
-I'm ready.
942
00:40:15,414 --> 00:40:16,613
All right, let's do it.
943
00:40:19,184 --> 00:40:20,517
He's alive.
944
00:40:25,624 --> 00:40:28,558
The drone hovers in the air
scanning along
945
00:40:28,660 --> 00:40:31,628
A pre-programmed route
that will cover
the same territory,
946
00:40:31,729 --> 00:40:34,030
It would take years
to explore on foot.
947
00:40:36,501 --> 00:40:38,535
The really mysterious thing
about the etruscans
948
00:40:38,603 --> 00:40:40,203
Is that the more you learn
about them,
949
00:40:40,205 --> 00:40:43,973
The more you understand
that they were this
really robust civilization.
950
00:40:43,975 --> 00:40:46,342
Right? They were
politically smart.
951
00:40:46,444 --> 00:40:47,911
They were trading far
and wide.
952
00:40:47,913 --> 00:40:49,178
They were innovative.
953
00:40:49,180 --> 00:40:52,682
And yet, it seems today
like they've just vanished off
954
00:40:52,684 --> 00:40:53,850
The face of the earth.
955
00:40:53,852 --> 00:40:57,253
I mean, if I were to bet,
let's say around 500 bce,
956
00:40:57,355 --> 00:41:00,457
What would be the most
successful culture in Italy.
957
00:41:00,525 --> 00:41:02,892
It would be the etruscans,
definitely not the romans.
958
00:41:02,894 --> 00:41:04,828
Why is it do you think
in the end that the etruscans
959
00:41:04,830 --> 00:41:06,196
Couldn't stand up to rome?
960
00:41:06,198 --> 00:41:09,399
I think the city state
division may have worked
against them.
961
00:41:09,401 --> 00:41:11,801
There were rivalries
between nobilities
962
00:41:11,803 --> 00:41:13,870
May actually in the end
have weakened them
963
00:41:13,872 --> 00:41:16,339
When they were faced with
a power as strong as rome.
964
00:41:16,441 --> 00:41:18,107
Right. And they were
a divided group.
965
00:41:18,209 --> 00:41:20,243
They were these
independent city states.
966
00:41:20,345 --> 00:41:23,446
A league of 12,
but not always supporting
967
00:41:23,548 --> 00:41:25,415
Each other militarily
when it came down to it.
968
00:41:25,417 --> 00:41:26,949
Right.
969
00:41:26,951 --> 00:41:31,254
It's an age old lesson,
united we stand,
divided we fall.
970
00:41:31,323 --> 00:41:33,556
By the time rome grew
into a threat,
971
00:41:33,658 --> 00:41:37,026
The etruscans weren't cohesi
enough to withstand them.
972
00:41:37,028 --> 00:41:39,262
While davide and I ponder
the past,
973
00:41:39,331 --> 00:41:42,899
The drone finishes its progr
and gently touches down.
974
00:41:47,038 --> 00:41:48,538
-Nice flying, by the way.
-Thank you.
975
00:41:48,640 --> 00:41:51,107
-You're excited?
-Oh, man, let's get this data.
976
00:41:51,109 --> 00:41:53,409
Once the data is extracted
from the drone,
977
00:41:53,411 --> 00:41:55,712
It's time to process it
through the computer
978
00:41:55,813 --> 00:41:58,014
To see if this forest
has been hiding some
979
00:41:58,016 --> 00:42:01,818
Intact etruscan tombs
for over 3000 years.
980
00:42:04,823 --> 00:42:06,990
-Oh, look at that.
-Wow.
981
00:42:14,132 --> 00:42:16,432
Hello, sir, how's your pasta?
982
00:42:16,534 --> 00:42:17,767
Eccellente.
983
00:42:17,769 --> 00:42:18,801
What brings you to Italy?
984
00:42:18,803 --> 00:42:20,069
We're looking for
the etruscans.
985
00:42:20,071 --> 00:42:21,905
You know, we have here
in the restaurant
986
00:42:21,907 --> 00:42:23,006
An etruscan tomb.
987
00:42:23,008 --> 00:42:24,874
-In the restaurant?
-Yeah, of course.
988
00:42:24,876 --> 00:42:26,342
It's there under your feet.
989
00:42:26,411 --> 00:42:27,810
I show you. Move the table.
990
00:42:27,812 --> 00:42:29,212
Move the table.
991
00:42:30,415 --> 00:42:32,081
-What?
-That's it.
992
00:42:32,083 --> 00:42:34,017
Are you kidding me?
It's a real tomb?
993
00:42:34,019 --> 00:42:36,286
Of course. Yes.
Do you want to jump down?
994
00:42:36,288 --> 00:42:38,721
-Yes.
-Luciano, please come here.
995
00:42:38,823 --> 00:42:39,956
Wow, okay.
996
00:42:39,958 --> 00:42:41,558
We're gonna,
we're gonna open it.
997
00:42:41,626 --> 00:42:44,060
Oh, thank you.
998
00:42:44,062 --> 00:42:45,260
-[grunts]
-you got it?
999
00:42:45,262 --> 00:42:47,430
-I can go down here, really?
-Yeah, of course. Yes.
1000
00:42:47,432 --> 00:42:48,565
Okay, I'll see you
later, guys.
1001
00:42:48,633 --> 00:42:49,966
Jump down!
1002
00:42:51,536 --> 00:42:54,604
There is literally a tomb
thousands of years old
1003
00:42:54,706 --> 00:42:56,072
Underneath this restaurant.
1004
00:42:57,075 --> 00:42:58,608
Just goes to show that
when you eat out,
1005
00:42:58,710 --> 00:43:00,176
It's important to inquire
about specials
1006
00:43:00,178 --> 00:43:01,444
That are off the menu.
1007
00:43:03,048 --> 00:43:04,113
Hello?
1008
00:43:04,182 --> 00:43:06,115
[speaking in italian]
1009
00:43:06,418 --> 00:43:07,550
Guys?
1010
00:43:13,024 --> 00:43:15,959
Oh, my word,
so that's the whole site?
1011
00:43:15,961 --> 00:43:18,628
[man] it's the whole plateau
with the surrounding
hillsides.
1012
00:43:18,730 --> 00:43:20,129
[josh] that is so cool.
1013
00:43:20,131 --> 00:43:23,800
No unlooted etruscan tombs
have been found at this site
1014
00:43:23,901 --> 00:43:27,003
Locating one could mean
finding historic artifacts
1015
00:43:27,005 --> 00:43:29,405
Or inscriptions
that could help decipher
1016
00:43:29,407 --> 00:43:30,873
Their lost language.
1017
00:43:30,875 --> 00:43:32,909
And so walk me through
the color pattern here.
1018
00:43:32,911 --> 00:43:34,811
So this is colored
based on height.
1019
00:43:34,879 --> 00:43:37,714
-Yes.
-So the dark blue
is the lowest sections
1020
00:43:37,782 --> 00:43:41,217
And the darkest red
is the highest portions.
1021
00:43:41,286 --> 00:43:43,219
And now can we remove
that layer?
1022
00:43:43,288 --> 00:43:45,188
Yes. So that's what
we're gonna do now.
1023
00:43:46,458 --> 00:43:49,192
Look at that.
How cool is that?
1024
00:43:49,194 --> 00:43:51,728
So now that we can see
this without any of
the vegetation,
1025
00:43:51,730 --> 00:43:52,962
Let's get our bearings,
1026
00:43:52,964 --> 00:43:55,098
So the main part
of the site is where?
1027
00:43:55,100 --> 00:43:58,368
Here and this would have
also been where the acropolis,
1028
00:43:58,370 --> 00:44:00,603
The ritual center
of the etruscan city,
1029
00:44:00,672 --> 00:44:02,405
Which extended across
the plateau.
1030
00:44:02,407 --> 00:44:04,907
Okay, so what jumps out
on here for you?
1031
00:44:04,909 --> 00:44:08,011
What jumps out? First of all,
you may be seeing segments
1032
00:44:08,013 --> 00:44:10,346
Of the circuit walls
that might date back
1033
00:44:10,348 --> 00:44:11,180
To the etruscan period.
1034
00:44:11,249 --> 00:44:13,049
Right, like above
the site there?
1035
00:44:13,051 --> 00:44:15,418
Can we zoom in on that?
This looks really squared off.
1036
00:44:15,420 --> 00:44:17,920
Yes, this looks excellent.
Right here and right there.
1037
00:44:17,922 --> 00:44:19,322
You think that's part of
a defensive wall?
1038
00:44:19,424 --> 00:44:20,522
I would say it is.
1039
00:44:20,524 --> 00:44:23,526
So if these are all sections
of a defensive wall,
1040
00:44:23,528 --> 00:44:24,994
Does that mean
this whole plateau
1041
00:44:24,996 --> 00:44:26,229
Might have been
part of the city?
1042
00:44:26,231 --> 00:44:28,331
It's further evidence
that the city extended
1043
00:44:28,333 --> 00:44:30,199
Across the entirety
of the plateau.
1044
00:44:30,201 --> 00:44:31,801
Look at this down
to the south.
1045
00:44:31,870 --> 00:44:33,436
This feature comes in
very clearly.
1046
00:44:33,505 --> 00:44:35,605
[josh] right, this is one of
these etruscan roads here?
1047
00:44:35,707 --> 00:44:37,306
Yeah, this is a road cut
like a ramp
1048
00:44:37,308 --> 00:44:41,110
Leading down from the hilltop,
down into the necropolis,
1049
00:44:41,112 --> 00:44:44,080
Then this down here,
there's our tumulus
right there.
1050
00:44:44,082 --> 00:44:46,082
-Yeah.
-That's right.
1051
00:44:46,084 --> 00:44:48,451
And down the escarpment here
of the hillside,
1052
00:44:48,553 --> 00:44:51,287
Layers of tombs, in sequence
1053
00:44:51,289 --> 00:44:54,123
Would have been laid along
the roads that connect
1054
00:44:54,125 --> 00:44:55,224
The city of the dead.
1055
00:44:55,326 --> 00:44:57,026
So all these pock marks
we see,
1056
00:44:57,028 --> 00:45:00,029
All these dark areas here,
some of which look kind
of squared off,
1057
00:45:00,031 --> 00:45:01,531
Actually are those tombs?
1058
00:45:01,533 --> 00:45:03,266
I think those might be tombs.
1059
00:45:03,802 --> 00:45:05,034
Oh, man.
1060
00:45:05,036 --> 00:45:06,602
And did they occur
on the other hillsides
as well?
1061
00:45:06,604 --> 00:45:08,071
Can we, can we zoom out?
1062
00:45:09,040 --> 00:45:10,807
Oh, look at that.
1063
00:45:10,809 --> 00:45:13,943
Look, how many potential tombs
are right there.
1064
00:45:13,945 --> 00:45:15,478
You see these, these cluster
of tombs
1065
00:45:15,480 --> 00:45:17,280
Would have been looking
right towards the city
1066
00:45:17,282 --> 00:45:19,115
Of the living, right towards
the ritual center.
1067
00:45:19,117 --> 00:45:20,550
And up on the top here,
1068
00:45:20,618 --> 00:45:22,785
We have additional
constructed tombs.
1069
00:45:22,787 --> 00:45:25,321
Could you zoom in there
a little bit?
1070
00:45:25,390 --> 00:45:28,124
Look at that, you can
see them just cut out
of the hillside there.
1071
00:45:28,193 --> 00:45:29,125
That's right.
1072
00:45:29,227 --> 00:45:30,659
The more we looked at
this map,
1073
00:45:30,661 --> 00:45:33,329
The more that it seems like
there might be tombs
everywhere here.
1074
00:45:33,398 --> 00:45:35,231
Oh, there certainly are.
1075
00:45:35,233 --> 00:45:37,100
How many tombs did you survey
on the ground
1076
00:45:37,102 --> 00:45:38,501
Just from what you could see?
1077
00:45:38,503 --> 00:45:41,871
Our pedestrian survey
documented 543 tombs.
1078
00:45:41,873 --> 00:45:43,873
Sorry, 543 tombs?
1079
00:45:43,875 --> 00:45:46,609
543 tombs, but there
must be many more.
1080
00:45:46,611 --> 00:45:48,344
And this image helps
to show that.
1081
00:45:48,346 --> 00:45:51,114
I mean, I think there
are thousands of tombs here.
1082
00:45:51,182 --> 00:45:53,149
-[josh] thousands?
-Thousands of tombs.
1083
00:45:53,151 --> 00:45:56,753
This model here shows us
the pinpointing locations,
1084
00:45:56,755 --> 00:45:58,154
Probably even more.
1085
00:45:58,156 --> 00:46:01,324
I've scanned hundreds
of historical sites around
the world
1086
00:46:01,425 --> 00:46:03,326
And I've never seen
anything like this.
1087
00:46:03,427 --> 00:46:07,563
[josh] I mean, it really doe
seem like everywhere
you zoom in here,
1088
00:46:07,665 --> 00:46:09,799
There are potentially tombs.
1089
00:46:09,801 --> 00:46:12,969
There might be unlooted tombs
here because we do not see
1090
00:46:12,971 --> 00:46:15,705
Those looters pits
that penetrate down.
1091
00:46:15,807 --> 00:46:17,707
We've not found
an unlooted tomb.
1092
00:46:17,809 --> 00:46:20,943
An unlooted tomb really
would provide a wealth
of data for us.
1093
00:46:20,945 --> 00:46:24,280
An unlooted tomb is a goldmine
in terms of understanding
1094
00:46:24,282 --> 00:46:25,548
-The etruscans.
-It's the holy grail.
1095
00:46:25,583 --> 00:46:26,849
Right.
1096
00:46:28,987 --> 00:46:31,721
And that grail may be
within david's grasp,
1097
00:46:31,823 --> 00:46:34,824
Unlooted tombs that
could finally give us the ke
1098
00:46:34,826 --> 00:46:36,526
To the etruscan language,
1099
00:46:36,528 --> 00:46:40,830
Or offer us stunning example
of their art and architectur
1100
00:46:40,932 --> 00:46:43,499
This lidar has just opened
yet another door
1101
00:46:43,501 --> 00:46:45,401
Into the etruscans' world,
1102
00:46:45,403 --> 00:46:48,304
And davide and his team
will continue to chase down
1103
00:46:48,306 --> 00:46:51,007
Every lead in their pursuit
of the past.
1104
00:46:54,279 --> 00:46:57,547
Before heading home,
I return to
the eternal city,
1105
00:46:57,615 --> 00:46:59,816
As if seeing it
for the first time.
1106
00:46:59,818 --> 00:47:02,852
Now through the eyes
of an etruscan.
1107
00:47:02,854 --> 00:47:05,521
This is the terminus
of the cloaca maxima,
1108
00:47:05,523 --> 00:47:09,525
That massive sewer system
that once ran beneath
ancient rome.
1109
00:47:09,527 --> 00:47:13,095
Waste from around the city
would flow out into
the tiber river,
1110
00:47:13,097 --> 00:47:15,464
And it quite literally drain
the swamp,
1111
00:47:15,500 --> 00:47:18,301
Paving the way for
the construction of
the roman forum.
1112
00:47:18,303 --> 00:47:21,604
And as we now know,
it was the etruscans
who first built it.
1113
00:47:24,409 --> 00:47:28,945
And not just the plumbing,
chariot racing
and gladiator games,
1114
00:47:28,947 --> 00:47:32,982
The first roads, fashion,
and elements of their religi
1115
00:47:32,984 --> 00:47:37,119
Are all part of a rome
that exists to this day.
1116
00:47:37,121 --> 00:47:39,455
Yet were born
with the etruscans.
1117
00:47:41,793 --> 00:47:45,962
If all roads lead to rome,
those roads begin
with the etruscans.
1118
00:47:45,964 --> 00:47:47,997
And where did
the etruscans go?
1119
00:47:47,999 --> 00:47:50,199
Well, it turns out nowhere.
1120
00:47:50,301 --> 00:47:52,268
They've been right here
all along.