On display at the Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa is the celestial chariot from Populonia

Until Nov. 1, 2020, the “Celestial” chariot from Popolunia can be seen on display at the Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa: an Etruscan ceremonial chariot from thearchaeological site of San Cerbone in Populonia.

It was discovered in 1955 along with the skeleton of two horses and metal details of the harness in anancient, elongated-shaped pit. The pit was referred to as the “Biga Pit,” since the remains found were thought to belong to a chariot. Today, after a careful examination of ancient iconography, it has been discovered that the chariot belonged to a type of single-seat chariot, referred to as “celestial” because it features depictions of winged serpents that hint at the otherworldly.

More than half a century after the discovery, following study work and reconstruction of the original context, it was understood that the pit was a monumental mound that was destroyed.

After the Pisan exhibition, the Etruscan chariot will be transferred to its permanent home, namely the Archaeological Museum of the Territory of Popolunia in Piombino.

On display at the Museum of Ancient Ships in Pisa is the celestial chariot from Populonia