MARZABOTTO

   An important Etruscan settlement north of the Apennines refounded as a planned city in the fifth century BC on a less substantial sixth-century settlement. Some sporadic Late Bronze Age fragments have also been found. The city has traditionally been represented as an ideal Etruscan city. It had a major north-south street crossed at right angles by three other main streets. Further streets subdivided the settlement into rectilinear blocks. These blocks were occupied by domestic (of standard uniform pattern) and industrial (pottery, tiles, and iron and bronze manufacture) activities. On the edge of the city there were two further sanctuary locations (Acropolis, Fontile). The Acropolis location had five individual structures and is the findspot in two locations of about 40 votive figurines (at least 22 schematic male and 8 schematic female offerenti) dating to the fifth century BC. The Fontile was also a findspot of votive figurines. Cemeteries were located outside gates to the city. The city was destroyed in approximately 30 BC, most probably by Celts.

   See also MEASUREMENT; RELIGION.