An extremely rare, sacred text was uncovered in Italy by archaeologists in what seems to be a lost, ancient Etruscan language. New findings reveal that this ancient Etruscan culture involves a religion that worships a god or goddess.
This long text can be described as embedded and inscribed upon a large sandstone slab within the foundations of a temple monument that has been buried for more than 2,500 years according to the researchers. The slabs were discovered in the Poggio Colla site in Tuscany.
According to the lead investigator of the excavation, Gregory Warden from the Mugello Valley Archaeological Project, this is most likely a sacred text which has is remarkable evidence that tells about the early ancient belief system of a lost culture, serving as a foundation for many western traditions.
The slab weighs more than 500 pounds and measures almost four feet high and two feet across, possessing at least 70 letters and symbols along with punctuation marks, adds Warden who is also from the Southern Methodist University in Texas.
Experts also predict that these "stela" or stone slabs that serve as an important cultural monument, can reveal much new knowledge about the lost culture of the Etruscans who thrived during the first millennium BC. This Etruscan civilization apparently ruled Rome and influenced the Romans from religion, to government systems, to art and architecture.
They are also considered to be very devout people during ancient times, where daily Etruscan life is ruled by religion and ruling magistrates practiced their religious authority over the people. Warden adds that these ancient language slabs served as a monumental symbol of law and authority. He notes that these types of slabs with long inscriptions are particularly rare, which means that there will be new words that have just been revealed today.
The Mugello Valley Archaeological Project has been uncovering important cultural remains for more than 20 years, where the project has already unearthed ancient artifacts about Etruscan beliefs that include gifts to deities and divinities and discoveries that lead to the daily lives of the Etruscan elite and the common people, including remnants of workshops and pottery and most importantly, homes.
This new stele discovery is a crucial piece of evidence adding to what scientists know about Etruscan history and culture including religion, researchers conclude.