Chianciano – Etruscan Museum
We moved through the Etruscan civilization from 8000 BC or so (in basement crypts) to 300 BC, when this advanced and apparently happy people were overtaken by the more militaristic Romans. Much of what we saw was decorated funerary urns and gorgeous jewelry. Men and women were depicted individually or in cuddling couples, looking much as they must have in life in effigy on top of the urns that held their ashes. The mood of all of the funery exhibits was one of celebration; hosting a fine party in anticipation of a happy afterlife. It was interesting to see the implements that were placed in the tombs of women - - spools for thread carved from stone, looms, spindles, and so on. Our guide said the Etruscans believed their gods sent their souls to earth to gather memories and then invited them back to share their experiences with loved ones who preceded them. As so many Italians do, our guide told us the history of the Etruscans and later Romans in terms of the food they ate. When several of us tried to find out from him about where the Etruscans came from, and made the mistake of talking about DNA, he insisted it was completely irrelevant and that people are what they eat and the language they speak. Very Italian.
We moved through the Etruscan civilization from 8000 BC or so (in basement crypts) to 300 BC, when this advanced and apparently happy people were overtaken by the more militaristic Romans. Much of what we saw was decorated funerary urns and gorgeous jewelry. Men and women were depicted individually or in cuddling couples, looking much as they must have in life in effigy on top of the urns that held their ashes. The mood of all of the funery exhibits was one of celebration; hosting a fine party in anticipation of a happy afterlife. It was interesting to see the implements that were placed in the tombs of women - - spools for thread carved from stone, looms, spindles, and so on. Our guide said the Etruscans believed their gods sent their souls to earth to gather memories and then invited them back to share their experiences with loved ones who preceded them. As so many Italians do, our guide told us the history of the Etruscans and later Romans in terms of the food they ate. When several of us tried to find out from him about where the Etruscans came from, and made the mistake of talking about DNA, he insisted it was completely irrelevant and that people are what they eat and the language they speak. Very Italian.
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