Unique Etruscan Stele Discovered at Ancient Temple in Italy

Researchers excavating a site in Poggio Colla, northeast of Florence, in Italy discovered a rare stele while working in their 2015 field season. The large stele contains text that is believed to be religious in nature and which archaeologists think will contain details on a deity that was worshipped by the Etruscans in the 6th century BC.

The discovery of the stele was announced during a scientific exhibit of the Tuscan Archaeological Superintendency entitled “Shadow of the Etruscans,” in Prato, Italy.

Phys.Org reports that the text on the great slab contains at least 70 legible letters and punctuation marks. Although the Etruscans are believed to have been a highly cultured people, many of the previous examples of ancient Etruscan writing have come from funeral settings or in the form of just names and titles. Thus, it is expected that the stele from a different context will likely contain new vocabulary and information on the Etruscan way of life.

Detail of inscription. (Poggio Colla Field School (MVAP))