Etruria forever

shiningjasmin

Fresco, “Tomb of priests”, Tarquinia, Italy.

The fresco shows a masked man called “phersu”. “Phersu” in Etruscan meant “mask”. The “phersu” was a man with a mask and had a dog. The “phersu” incited the dog against a hooded man; the hooded man had to defend himself from the dog, but could not see. Was a cruel game Etruscan that was made during the funeral rites.

Chariot, late 6th century B.C. Etruscan; From Monteleone, Italy Bronze

Spectacular Thracian war helmet displayed for the first time.

The Torrs Horns and Torrs Pony-cap

(once together known as the Torrs Chamfrein)

thepictishone, mcamarra, iseesigils, sunshineandthedragonlady, floramei, ethelwulfhrodberht, kelcipher 

“The Celtic horned chamfron was decorated in a late stage of La Tène style, as Iron Age Celtic art is called by archaeologists. The dates ascribed to the elements vary, but are typically around 200 BC Whatever the original appearance and functions of the objects, and wherever they were made, they are very finely designed and skillfully executed, and form part of a small surviving group of elaborate metal objects found around the British Isles that were commissioned by the elite of Iron Age British and Irish society in the final centuries before the arrival of the Romans.”

http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/results.php?field=where&searchterm=%22Torrs%22&searchdb=scran Pony cap of bronze

“This bronze pony cap was found at Torrs, at Kelton in Kirkcudbrightshire, along with two horns. It is a unique find, and must have been used on ceremonial occasions sometime between 300 and 100 BC. The cap is decorated with repoussé design. Part of the front is missing, and the cracked front has a modern internal patch. Both the cap and horns were modified at some point in the past to attach the horns. The cap was worn on the top of the pony’s head, with the ears emerging from the smooth holes. It was held in place by leather straps. Originally the cap had a plume attached to its top; at a later unknown date, the horns were attached.” http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-100-036-170-C&scache=2olv1bo9me&searchdb=scran Pony cap

“This bronze pony cap was found at Torrs, at Kelton in Kirkcudbrightshire, along with two horns. It is a unique find, and must have been used on ceremonial occasions sometime between 300 and 100 BC. This picture shows the less well-preserved side. The cap is decorated with repoussé design. Part of the front is missing, and the cracked front has a modern internal patch. Both the cap and horns were modified at some point in the past to attach the horns. The unusual purpose of this object, and the high quality of workmanship and design, have attracted a great deal of attention. It was clearly an elite object, meant for ostentatious display.” http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-190-001-331-C&scache=2olv1bo9me&searchdb=scran Horns of bronze

“These two bronze horns were found with a unique pony cap at Torrs, at Kelton in Kirkcudbrightshire. Their relationship to the cap is unclear, but they were not originally attached to it when it was first made.

Both horns are engraved with tendril patterns. A duck’s head with large eyes, once filled with coral bosses, is preserved on one horn, and presumably was present on the other. It is not known what the horns originally came from. They are unlikely to be drinking horns, as previously suggested, but would have come from an ostentatious display object. Both the horns and cap were probably buried as gifts to the gods.” http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-190-000-000-C&scache=2olv1bo9me&searchdb=scran Bridle bit rings

“These four simple bronze rings were probably part of bridle bits. They were found at Middlebie in Dumfriesshire, part of a hoard of 28 items, mainly objects for use on horse harnesses. The hoard was deposited sometime in the first two centuries AD. Leather on early harnesses rarely survives, but the metal fittings, ornaments and components of bridle bits are often preserved. Bridle bits come in a number of forms, sometimes plain, as in this case, sometimes with ornamented rings and linking pieces.” http://nms.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-190-000-973-C&scache=2olv1bo9me&searchdb=scran Total War: Rome II - There was going to be a British Horsemen unit with these helms but they were never implemented.

Cultura e cibo in Italia e soprattutto in Toscana vanno di pari passo.

Già al tempo degli Etruschi banchetti, cibi importanti, coppe di vino facevano da contorno a feste nuziali, cerimonie religiose e pagane.

Le donne partecipavano alla vita sociale e erano in primo piano anche nei banchetti al contrario i quelle romane e greche. Secondo gli storici dell'arte il popolo etrusco non trascurava gli aspetti ludici e conviviali che rendevano  dolce la vita. Visitate l’ acropoli e la necropoli di Baratti e Populonia.

Occhio a non far indigestione! 

“C'è punti Etruschiiii?”

Che tradotto per i non-Toscani significa qualcosa come: “Ci sono tracce degli Etruschi in quello scavo che state facendo?”

Questo ci hanno urlato una volta da una bici in corsa lungo la via Aurelia, buttando un occhio allo scavo a bordo strada.

Se lavori in Toscana, e ancora di più nel territorio di Populonia, non ti aspettare una domanda che non riguardi gli Etruschi. Lì c'erano gli Etruschi. Punto.

I Romani? Qui??? Davvero? E gli Etruschi no? Com'è possibile?

Del resto lì a pochi chilometri c'è Baratti, con quella meraviglia della necropoli di S. Cerbone. Gli Etruschi sono di casa. I Romani no, non attraggono allo stesso modo: troppo ordinari, troppo studiati, troppo noti e anche un po’ banali, scontati, bravi, potenti… ascuola ci fanno una testa così!

Gli Etruschi invece…  Loro sì che sono passati attraverso la Storia, lasciandovi una impronta di mistero! E noi siamo istintivamente attratti da tutto quello che non conosciamo.