This land on the coast of the Tyrrhenian Sea stretching from Livorno down to Piombino is called "La Costa degli Etruschi" (Etruscan Coast), and encompasses a high concentration of Etruscan settlements from the 7th and 6th centuries BC. In this area you will find production of wonderful varieties of wine like- DOC di Montescudaio, traditions in food, small towns and cities with incredibly lengthy, interesting histories and beautiful sandy beaches. The famous Val di Cornia is an area on the coast which is known for its “rich history, art, traditions, and nature” and is full of beautiful things to see.
There is an area just north of Piombino that encompasses the most well preserved Etruscan settlements in the country and has been made into a national park called "Parco Archelogico di Baratti e Populonia". This is a grotto for the history buff who is fascinated by the remains of past civilizations. Populonia rests on the shore of the gulf of Baratti, was home to the Etruscan people between the 9th and 8th centuries BC and is the only Etruscan site that was built directly on the coast. It was first utilized by the Etruscans and later by the Romans for its prime location and vicinity to he Island of Elba which was an ancient source of iron and other natural minerals but its characteristic protective wall wasn’t built until the middle ages to protect from pirate attacks from the coast.
The world’s continents are slowly but constantly shifting and it has been found that the islands off the shore of Tuscany were originally much closer to the main land, even attached at one point. Therefore, eleven centuries ago the Island of Elba was even more easily reached than it is today and was quite an important resource for materials. For centuries this land has held some incredible artefacts – like the first bronze coins used as currency that were found in Populonia. If travelling to this enchanting area be sure not to miss seeing il podere San Cerbone and the Necropoli delle Grotte.
The most famous structures still in existence are funerary and are broken into three categories. The Necropoli of San Cerbone and Casone from 7th to 6th centuries BC represent examples of the "tumolo", or "mound" type tomb, and of the "edicola" style which is more of a small rectangular house looking structure with four walls and a pointed roof. These two sites have preserved their sites well – the tombs of Cerbone still have the pseudocupola, which is a circular, dome roofed protective structure that’s opening is closed by a large stone. The third type, "tombe a camera", is much larger, more like current day sarcophaguses or mausoleums and is found Necropoli delle Grotte.