Anthony Tuck, professor of classical archaeology at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is director of excavations at Poggio Civitate. His books include Burials from Poggio Aguzzo: The Necropolis of Poggio Civitate (Murlo) and First Words: The Archaeology of Language at Poggio Civitate (Murlo).

• List of IllustrationsAcknowledgments1. IntroductionThe Site and Its Surroundings Ancient and Medieval History Poggio Civitate before Excavation Began in 1966 2. The Earliest Community of Poggio Civitate (Late Eighth Century BCE to the First Quarter/Middle of the Seventh Century BCE)Early Phase Orientalizing Complex Building 4 (EPOC4)Early Phase Orientalizing Complex Building 5 (EPOC5)3. The Lords of Piano del Tesoro: The "Orientalizing Period Complex" (ca. 675/650 BCE to the End of the Seventh or Beginning of the Sixth Century BCE)The Orientalizing ComplexEvidence for the Date of the Orientalizing ComplexThe Decorative Program of the Orientalizing ComplexDaily Life of the Social Elite of Poggio CivitateOC3/Tripartite and Connections to the Larger Etruscan WorldManufacturing at Poggio CivitatePersonalities of Poggio Civitate's WorkforceThe Economy of Poggio CivitateSigla and the Communitarian Environment of Poggio CivitateNon-Elite Domestic Spaces at Poggio CivitateSubordinate Communities beyond Poggio CivitateConviviality, Banqueting, and the Mistress of AnimalsResponses to Death at Poggio CivitateBefore the Fire4. Monumental Aspirations: Poggio Civitate's Archaic Phase (ca. 600 BCE to Approximately 525 BCE)The Decorative System of Poggio Civitate's Archaic Phase BuildingInterpreting the Archaic Phase Decorative ProgramThe Function(s) of Poggio Civitate's Archaic Phase BuildingThe Destruction and Abandonment of Poggio CivitateThe Political Situation of the Late Sixth Century BCE5. Poggio Civitate: An OverviewNotesBibliographyIndex

This is a beautifully written and carefully organized exposition of a very complicated ancient site. It offers an excellent overview of the many questions that Poggio Civitate has raised with each season’s progress, and many sensitive, considered, and well-argued answers to those questions. It is a precious tribute to the efforts of the many dedicated participants who, from its inception, have worked at the site or published and presented material found there. I congratulate the author and all those who helped bring this volume to fruition and look forward to more years of discovery at Poggio Civitate. (Etruscan and Italic Studies)