Civitella Paganico

The Petriolo hot springs were known in ancient times and were possibly frequented by the Etruscans and Romans. Written mention of it dates back to 1130. As the site gained famed for alleged curative properties during the Middle Ages, numerous famous people came to visit. Pope Pius II frequented the site, seeking a cure for his gout. A number of Papal Bulls were issued from the Civitella Paganico as a result. The Republic of Siena built cabins on the site and instituted a tax on bathers. Originally, there were four baths on the site, one of which remains today. A resort hotel is currently under construction.[5]

In 2007, an archaeology student named Andrea Marcocci unearthed an undisturbed Etruscan tomb in Civitella Paganico, near the castle of Casenovole. The site, nicknamed the "Tomb of the Badger" because of a badger den at the tomb's entrance, dates to between third and second century BC, a time when the Etruscan civilization was in the process of being conquered by the Romans.[6][7] Marcocci first found the opening in 1991, but kept it a secret for 16 years, thinking it would be robbed.[6] When logging nearby threatened to uncover the site, Marcocci, who grew up in the area, decided it was time to investigate the site.[7] He teamed up with other students and amateur archeologists to excavate the site.[8]

The excavation team found a narrow corridor that led to a 2 metres (6.6 ft) long, 1.79 metres (5.9 ft) wide burial chamber filled with dirt.[9] When the dirt was excavated, Marcocci and his colleagues found 80 artifacts, including vases (urns), mirrors of ceramic and bronze, coins, and rings.[7][9] Of the urns, 25 were terracotta, 3 stone, and 2 bronze.[7] The ashes of 30 people were discovered, an unusually high number for a single Etruscan tomb.[8] Marcocci hypothesized the urns belonged to a single family, with the smaller urns belonging to their servants.[7]

As of 2013, Civitella Paganico is home to 3291 people.[3] It contains a number of frazioni (towns and villages). Casale di Pari is the highest point of the comune. Casenovole was once an important court of the Counts of Ardengheschi. Civitella Marittima, a hilltop town of 350, dates to the Etruscan period. Dogana is a small village in the countryside. Monte Antico is home to a famous castle. Paganico, the most populous town of the comune, was built by the Republic of Siena. It is home to the church of San Michele Arcangelo, which houses several frescoes painted by Biagio di Goro Ghezzi, and the only intermediate school of the comune. Pari is located near the Petriolo hot springs and was the favorite home of 19th-century writer Federigo Tozzi.[4]