It is now confirmed that Castel d’Asso is identified with the ancient Axia mentioned by Cicero in the speech Pro Caecina. The city, already existing in the archaic period, as demonstrated by the discovery of some architectural terracotta pieces dated to 550-530 BC, which recall the analogous and much better-known slabs found in Acquarossa, especially flourished starting from the 4th century BC as a minor center of the Tarquinian territory. In the 3rd century BC, it was subjected, like the entire area, to Roman rule, but thanks to its location between the Via Clodia and the Via Cassia, it continued to enjoy a certain prosperity.
From the early imperial age, decline began, leading to the abandonment of the site in late antiquity, only to be inhabited again in the early Middle Ages. Along the northern side of the valley in front of the medieval castle, a considerable number of tombs with three-tiered façades are concentrated; the necropolis was in use from the second half of the 4th until the middle of the 2nd century BC. Among the most famous is the Great Tomb, so named for its large proportions and renowned for the exceptional three access doors; the Orioli tomb, of the semi-dado type with a sub-façade chamber and an externally carved tile roof, datable between the middle of the 3rd century BC and the middle of the 2nd century BC; or the Tetnie tomb, belonging to a family known in Vulci.
Information about the Rock-cut Necropolis of Castel d’Asso
Directions from S.P. Tuscanese,
01010 Viterbo (Viterbo)
https://www.provincia.vt.it/cultura/etruschi/homepage.html
Source: MIBACT
