Rare Etruscan tablet uncovers mysteries of language and religion

The Etruscans predated the Romans and heavily influenced the more famous Italian civilization, but unfortunately we know very little about Etruscan language and society.

Thankfully, a newly-discovered sandstone slab dated back to the 6^th century BC could give us a glimpse into Etruscan society, as it contains a lengthy inscription in the Etruscan language.

Etruscan religious writing

Archaeologists working on the slab, which is known as a stele, said it appears to be religious in nature and probably contains details about an Etruscan god or goddess, according to a press release.

“This is probably going to be a sacred text, and will be remarkable for telling us about the early belief system of a lost culture that is fundamental to western traditions,” said Gregory Warden, an archaeologist with Franklin University in Switzerland.

Measuring 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide, the 500-pound stele appears to contain 70 or more legible letters and punctuation marks. It was discovered at the ruins of an ancient Etruscan temple and Warden said it was probably prominently displayed as a symbol of authority.

“We know how Etruscan grammar works, what’s a verb, what’s an object, some of the words,” Warden said. “But we hope this will reveal the name of the god or goddess that is worshiped at this site.”

Jean MacIntosh Turfa, an Etruscan expert with the University of Pennsylvania Museum, said the stele should provide many details on the history, literacy, and religious practices of the mysterious society.

To date, archaeologists have mostly found just short funerary inscription in Etruscan.

“Inscriptions of more than a few words on permanent materials are rare for the Etruscans, who tended to use perishable media like linen cloth books or wax tablets,” Turfa said. “This stone stele is evidence of a permanent religious cult with monumental dedications, at least as early as the Late Archaic Period, from about 525 to 480 BC. Its re-use in the foundations of a slightly later sanctuary structure points to deep changes in the town and its social structure.”

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Image credit: Mugello Valley Project

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