Pyrgi (Pyrgus in Etruscan) was originally an ancient Etruscan town and port in Latium, central Italy, to the north-west of Caere. Its location is now occupied by the borough of Santa Severa. It is notable for the discovery here of the gold tablets, an exceptional epigraphic document with rare texts in Phoenician and Etruscan languages, and also the exceptional terracotta pediment statues from the temple. Excavations Excavations by Sapienza University of Rome since 1957 have focussed on the large sacred district, including the Monumental Sanctuary of Uni (Phoenician Astarte) and a Demetriac cult area, the most ancient so far known in Etruria, dedicated to the pair of deities Sur/Suri and Cavatha. In 2009 a block of ceremonial buildings north of Temple A was found. History The foundation of the settlement was ascribed to the Pelasgi and dates from the end of the 7th century BC. The connection between the great Etruscan city of Caere and the coast was ensured by the Caere-Pyrgi road, an impressive work of engineering, 10 m wide and 12 km long, comparable to that between Athens and Piraeus. Caere had three important ports: Punicum (Santa Marinella), Pyrgi and Alsium. Pyrgi's development was closely linked to its favourable position along the Tyrrhenian shipping routes, and it became the main port of Caere and hosted its naval fleet. The abundance of imported objects in the votive deposits highlights the role of Pyrgi as a gateway to the sea under the control of Caere and its openness to international contacts with the frequentation of the area by foreign merchants. The city was raided by Dionysius in 384 BC who, landing his troops in the night, plundered the temple of Ilithyia from which he is said to have carried off an enormous sum of 1000 talents in gold and silver. The Romans established a colonia maritima here between 338 (end of the Latin War) and 241 BC (start of the Punic Wars). The colonia was built as a rectangular fort. At the same time the temple buildings were ritually dismantled and worship continued outdoors. Later the town supplied fish to Rome, and became a favourite summer resort for rich patricians as did also Punicum to the north-west, where are many remains of large ancient villas. Both were stations on the Via Aurelia coast road. In 416 AD its site was occupied only by a large villa. The Etruscan Settlement Pyrgi