The largest island of the Tuscan archipelago located off Populonia. The island is particularly important for its rich sources of copper and iron. A shipwreck (sixth to fourth century BC) has been found at Punta dei Ripalti on the southeast coast at a depth of 35 to 40 meters. This shipwreck may strengthen the suggestion of an even earlier connection with Pithekoussai in terms of the early exploitation of the iron ores in collaboration with the Greeks, raising the possibility of direct maritime connectivity. The local Etruscan cities of Populonia and Vetulonia certainly benefited from the proximity of iron ore on Elba and in the Colline Metallifere as infrastructural support for the prosperity seen in their urban development and material culture.
Historical Dictionary of the Etruscans. Simon K. F. Stoddart.