The Etruscans: A New Investigation by Mauro Cristofani

A scholarly exploration of one of antiquity’s most mysterious civilizations — the Etruscans. The Etruscans: A New Investigation by Mauro Cristofani brings together archaeological findings, artistic analysis, and cultural insights to shed light on the people who profoundly influenced early Roman art, religion, and urban design. This large-format volume combines academic depth with relevant illustrations. Cloth bound with gold gilt lettering on spine. Includes original dust jacket.  

From the publisher: “The Etruscan civilization in Italy has guarded its secrets well for over two thousand years- indeed, its origins are still shrouded in mystery. While knowledge of Etruscan, the earliest written language in Italy, is limited, since too few texts have been found to provide a complete picture, excavation of settlements and burial places continues to cause scholarly excitement. The pottery, terracotta, iron and bronze artefacts that have been found are continually shedding new light on what was one of the most settled and sophisticated societies of the ancient world.

"This new study, by a prominent Italian archaeologist, looks at the life and culture of these literate and artistic people who flourished between about 1000 BC and 300 BC when they were colonized by the Romans. The author describes their environment and the development of trade, local skills and the written language which were stimulated by contacts with the Greek city-states. Although he concentrates on their language and literature and especially on their religious beliefs, Mauro Cristofani also analyses the political, economic and social structures of.a society that has had a profound effect upon Roman culture. Many of the Etruscans' gods, beliefs and doctrines were adopted by the Romans, and such was their level of learning that the wealthier Romans sent their sons to Etruria for their education.

"By drawing on current methods of linguistics and contemporary anthropological theories as well as on all available archaeological evidence, Mauro Cristofani presents an engrossing, comprehensive account of a fascinating people.

"As David Ridgway, of Edinburgh University, says in the Preface: 'this is an expert and scholarly translation of a book which is quite simply the most up-to-date account of the Etruscans that we have ... it is also brilliantly illustrated'.

"Mauro Cristofani is a leading Italian archaeologist with an international reputation. He is the director of the Institute for the Study of the Ancient World, part of the Faculty of Letters.and Philosophy at the University of Siena.”

• Author: Mauro Cristofani

• Title: The Etruscans: A New Investigation

• Publisher: Galahad Books. Originally published in 1978 in Italian

• Year: 1979

• ISBN: 0883654318

• Binding: Hardcover

• Condition: Excellent. Includes original dust jacket. 

• Weight: 939 g

• Dimensions: 23 × 32 × 1.5 cm