In 1853, an ancient burial ground was unearthed on the estate of Count Giovanni Gozzadini in Villanova, near Bologna. This discovery marked the beginning of the so called Villanovan culture, now recognized as the earliest phase of Etruscan civilization. The artifacts from this excavation are housed in the Museo Civico di Bologna, opened in 1881, where Gozzadini became the first General Director. The Museum brought together the archaeological and historical-artistic collections from the university and from the municipality.