Discovery of a Goddess Uni Antefix Fragment at Pyrgi
Researchers from Rome's La Sapienza University have unearthed a new piece of an antefix depicting the goddess Uni at the ancient sanctuary of Pyrgi in Italy. This artifact was found near Temple B, which was dedicated to Uni over 2,500 years ago. The discovery enriches the collection of architectural decorations from the temple, where excavations resumed in 2023 with the involvement of university students and scholars.
The Importance of Temple B
Temple B, dating back to around 510 BCE, served as a significant religious center where Uni was identified with the Phoenician goddess Astarte. Located on the Tyrrhenian Sea coast near present-day Santa Severa, Pyrgi is also famous for the golden tablets uncovered in the 1960s bearing inscriptions in both Etruscan and Phoenician. These tablets confirm the temple’s dedication to Uni and record a vow made by Thefarie Velianas, ruler or chief magistrate of the city of Caere (modern Cerveteri). The original tablets are preserved in Rome’s National Etruscan Museum at Villa Giulia.
The Pyrgi sanctuary stands as a crucial site for understanding Etruscan religious beliefs and the cultural exchanges across the Mediterranean. Antefixes, decorative roof elements made primarily from terracotta, were common in Greek, Etruscan, and Roman architecture. Uni, revered as a goddess linked to political authority and community protection, is often associated with the Roman Juno and the Greek Hera.
In a related development, in early summer 2026, the San Giuliano Archaeological Research Project, led by Professor Davide Zori from Baylor University, revealed a newly sealed Etruscan burial chamber near Rome. This tomb lies close to another untouched grave discovered in June 2025. Located about 70 kilometers northwest of Rome, the San Giuliano necropolis highlights the region’s archaeological significance. Protective measures there have successfully halted decades of systematic tomb looting in southern Etruria.
“This morning at Pyrgi, Uni has returned to watch over us,” the university archaeologists remarked.
The finding of this new antefix fragment at the Pyrgi sanctuary underscores the ongoing efforts to deepen our knowledge of Etruscan culture, shedding light on their religious rituals and architectural heritage. Discoveries like the golden tablets and newly found burial chambers emphasize the area's importance within the broader Mediterranean cultural network and highlight the necessity of preserving these archaeological treasures for future study.