Archeologists have discovered artifacts from the Etruscan, Roman and medieval times that span more than 15 centuries at a dig in Tuscany, Italy.

The dig at the ancient Italian settlement of Cetamura del Chianti is a bonanza because of the rich trove of materials in bronze, silver, lead and iron, said Nancy de Grummond from Florida State University.

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Researchers also uncovered abundant ceramics and evidence of organic materials that will allow them to study the culture, religion and daily life in Chianti and its surrounding regions.

They found 14 Etruscan and Roman bronze vessels, almost 500 waterlogged grape seeds and rare waterlogged wood from the Roman and Etruscan era.

De Grummond explained that one of the Estruscan vessels, a wine bucket, was finely tooled and decorated with figurines of Skylla, a marine monster.

Archeologists also found a vessel with a bronze finial that has the head of a feline; the mane of a lion; the spots of a leopard and handles that resemble sphinxes.

De Grummond explained that grape seeds found inside a well were well preserved. DNA and carbon dating will shed light into the history of wine-making in Tuscany.

Curiously, the bronze vessels often contain grape seeds that could be a sign of a ritual activity. There was also wood at the bottom of the well, an indicative sign of ritual offerings.

Researchers also found animal, bird bones and deer antlers that suggest these objects were regarded as sacred.

They explained that in the Etruscan religion, throwing items into a well filled with water was an act of religious sacrifice.

De Grummond stressed that "god offerings" were found in the well in the form of hundreds of miniature votive cups, 70 bronze and silver cones and "astragali," which are animal knucklebones used in an ancient game similar to today's game of jackstones.

She added that some of the artifacts found were intentionally or accidentally dropped by someone.

De Grummond plans to exhibit the vast artifacts she and her team discovered.