The unknown civilization that arose in southern Italy 1200 years ago BC
Brightly colored terracotta sarcophagus of an Etruscan woman Sianti Hannonia Telesnassa, found at Poggio Cantarello in Tuscany, Italy, 150-140 BC.
The sarcophagus is a masterpiece of Etruscan art.
The name of the deceased woman is written in Etruscan language along the base of the chest.
She must have belonged to one of the richest Chiusi families, as Seianti is sumptuously dressed for the occasion, wearing an ornate gown and gown, with intricate drapes falling sinuously over her body, and accessorized with a crown, earrings, bracelets, and a necklace. .
She is lying on a shallow mattress and plump pillow, holding an open-lidded mirror and raising her right hand to adjust her abaya.
The remains found inside the coffin belong to a female aged between 50 and 55 years.
The British Museum
A distinct Etruscan culture arose in Italy around 900 BC, roughly parallel to the Iron Age Villanovian culture. It was considered the oldest stage of Etruscan civilization, and apparently descended from the early Villanovian culture of the Bronze Age. The Etruscan civilization continued until it was integrated into Roman society, starting in the late fourth century BC with the Roman-Etruscan Wars, through the guarantee of Roman citizenship from 90 BC, and ending in 27 BC with the founding of the Roman Empire.
The oldest Etruscan inscriptions date back to about 700 BC
Their language is still not fully understood, making understanding of their society and culture largely dependent on non-neutral Greek and later Roman sources. Politics was based on small civil society and the family unit. The Etruscan elite at its peak became very wealthy through trade with the Celts to the north and Greeks to the south, and filled the graves of their large families with imported treasures.
The origins of the Etruscans were lost before history. Historical scholars did not find a literary industry or readable texts of religion or philosophy. Therefore, most of what is known about this civilization has been derived from what was found in graves and shrines. The main theory that examines their origin says that they are the indigenous people, from the Villanovian culture, from the East, or from the Sumerians who migrated during the era of drought.
Source: websites