In addition to historical documentation there is also archeoogical evidence and cultural tradition to support the theory that the Chiana Valley belonged to an ancient civilization. The underground tombs of Camucia and Sodo, the finds from Farneta, Foiano, Cignano and the Cortona Museum all testify to the effect that the Etruscans inhabited and cultivated this valley draining it of the waters which for thousands of years had reduced it to marshland.

When Leonardo Da Vinci, more than fifteen centuries later, drew up the "Atlantic Code", the Valdichiana once again appeared as a lake. It so happened that after the fall of the Western Roman empire, the ensuing barbarian invasions and bloody Gothic Wars (which continued throughout almost the entire 6th century) brought about the systematic depopulation of the countryside. No longer tended with loving care, the Valdichiana surrendered yet again to the waters inundating its territory. Nevertheless, bordering the swamps, in the walled villages, castles, abbeys and parish churches where the valley inhabitants had taken refuge, the ancient spirit and inherent taste for community living was preserved. This later give rise to the spontaneous birth of a new culture, documented in the "laude"- songs of praise- and - "bruscelli"- oper air performances- which represent the first expressions of Italian music, poetry and theatre still intact in their primitive form today having been transmitted from generation to generation, from threshing floor to threshing floor and from piazza to piazza.

The land reclamation planned and carried out by the Aretine engineer, Vittorio Fossombroni, during the Lorraine rule at the beginning of the 19th century, restored to the Valdichiana its former productive capacity. The valley was soon scattered with villages and architecturally superb farm-complexes which were higly efficient for the times.

The Autostrada del Sole and the main Rome-Milan railway line cut through the valley; two state highways, the Umbro-Casentinese and the eastern section of the Cassia which follow the natural contours on both sides, all guarantee communication links between the larger inhabited centres, whilst the dense network of good secondary roads permit easy access in all directions and the possibility of discovering remote, secluded spots of captivating beauty.

Moreover, following ancient Etruscan and Roman routes, beyond the slopes and wooded ridges of the Cortona mountain range to the east, passing through broad, open valleys characteristically dotted with houses, churches and ruins of earlier fortresses, you reach the Tiber Valley- Valtiberina.

The Valdichiana was once the granary of Etruria and even today it is still the only area specializing in the raising of the highly prized breed of beef cattle known as the Chianina, which can be directly traced back to the "bos primigenius" of prehistoric times.

This natural bent towards agriculture characterizes the valley's economy as a whole, where activities connected with the production of cereals, sugar beet, high quality oil and  excellent local wine,  all flourish and prosper. Yet, established firms concentrating in the manufacture of furniture, shoes and clothing are well represented.

In Monte San Savino, the ceramic industry is still thriving, producing refined pottery wares according to long-standing, local tradition.