ASCIANO

   An Archaic and Hellenistic settlement on the eastern edge of the boundary region between the cities of Arezzo, Cortona, Chiusi, and Volterra in northern Etruria near the Val di Chiana. The cemeteries are well known for the long-term maintenance of descent group presence in one location. The Molinello tumulus shows the power of the Marcni descent group, maintaining wealthy burials between the seventh century and first century BC. In the early period, there are representations of the ancestors. In the later period, 53 named cinerary urns are gathered together. The other major cemetery at Poggio Pinci has a similar sequence of the Hepni family from the fifth to the first century BC, with the presence of 30 named urns. Another distinctive feature is the high presence of paired men and women in tombs, although some females were buried with their menfolk.