In the ’90s, in an area between the promontory of Piombino and the Gulf of Baratti, numerous tombs and ancient remains of the Etruscan people were rediscovered. After a long operation of excavation, restoration and cataloging, the Archaeological Park of Baratti and Populonia was opened to the public.
The protected area covers about 80 hectares and has inside some Etruscan necropolis dating back to the seventh and sixth centuries BC and also Roman monuments.
The visiting path develops in the Mediterranean nature and enjoys some wonderful views of the sea.
In the middle of the green you can admire mound tombs, like hillocks, and sarcophagus tombs directly carved into the rock.
Despite the passing of time, the repeated thefts and damages, the Necropoli di San Cerbone and the Necropoli delle Grotte are in an excellent state of conservation. Many of the tombs were in fact buried under a mountain of ferrous waste deriving from the processing of Elban iron, an activity initiated by the Romans and completed only in the 20th century. Even today, small fragments of iron have remained on the grounds of the park and the nearby beach and shine in the sun.
During the excavations, were still found sealed tombs containing numerous objects and works of art. Today these artifacts are kept in the Archaeological Museum of Populonia and accompanied by detailed explanations.
