Researchers in Italy have spent the past few months translating an ancient text extracted from a 2,500-year-old Etruscan temple. They believe they may have stumbled upon the name of a previously unknown goddess. The text mentions a character named Uni, and archaeologists say that she could have been the patroness of the fertility cult.
Who were the Etruscans?
This ancient text is the largest ever found in the Etruscan language. It was written on a 225-kilogram stone slab known as a stele and was buried under a temple in the Sanctuary of Poggio Colla, a famous Etruscan settlement.
The Etruscans occupied most of northern Italy between 400-800 BC. They founded many major cities, which later became prominent centers of activity during the Roman Empire. Despite this, very few examples of Etruscan writing have been recovered, so archaeologists know practically nothing about their lifestyle and belief system.
What was found in the Etruscan temple of fertility?
Lead researcher Gregory Warren described the found stele as “one of the most important Etruscan discoveries of the last few decades,” as it reveals the mystery of the language and practices of this ancient civilization. But more importantly, the ancient inscription speaks of a goddess named Uni.
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Other artifacts found during excavations at Poggio Colla are ceramic. They depict birth scenes, so scientists suggest that this temple could be associated with the cult of fertility. Warren and his colleagues speculate that the stone stele found may contain the names of the deities to whom the temple was dedicated, and also believe that Uni may have been the titular deity of the area.
What is the historical value of the stele
The stele contains a total of 120 different symbols. She helped archaeologists learn more about the Etruscan language and grammar. Nevertheless, two and a half thousand years of erosion has led to the fact that many of the inscriptions on the stele are practically worn out and can hardly be distinguished. Therefore, the last few months, researchers have spent restoring and studying the inscriptions using photogrammetry and laser scanning. They presented their findings on August 27 at an exhibition in Florence (Italy).
According to Warren, this discovery provides not only valuable information about the nature of the sacred practices at Poggio Colla, but also fundamental data for understanding the concepts and rituals of the Etruscans, as well as their writing and possibly language.
Anna Pismenna