The pre-Roman necropolis of the Vallone di San Lorenzo, located about 5 km from Montecchio, lies in a woodland area thick with holm oaks and juniper thickets.

Tomb Structure

The 50 chamber tombs, carved into the soft calcarenite rock (locally called matile), follow a recurring layout:

• A dromos (open-air access corridor) leads to the burial chamber.
• Inside, shaped side benches, imitating klinai (banqueting couches), accommodated the deceased, laid supine with their heads facing the back wall.
• Small secondary chambers were used for grave goods or as extensions for family members.
• Infant burials, placed in simple pits, are often located near the entrances.

The tombs were looted in ancient times, but the artefacts recovered—now displayed at the Antiquarium in Tenaglie—reveal a wealthy community influenced by nearby Etruscan Orvieto.

Grave Goods and Daily Life

The finds show a clear gender distinction:

• Men: buried with iron weapons (swords, spears) and banqueting ware (dolia, oinochoai, kylikes).
• Women: buried with jewellery (fibulae, gold and silver hair spirals) and containers for ointments.

In the 4th century BC, the site began to decline as Todi rose to prominence and Roman expansion began.

Exploring the Necropolis

Access: From the car park along Via del Molinello (a dirt road), a marked trail (1 km, Trail 707) leads to the tombs, which are protected by shelters and railings.

Highlights:

• The tombs are arranged on two levels, possibly connected by access ramps.
• A broken travertine slab, shattered by tomb raiders, is still visible at the entrance of many chambers.

A picnic area with tables and toilets is available for a pleasant break.