Mysterious Etruscan civilization unveiled

An Etruscan chariot dating back to the 7th century B.C. is on view at the National Museum of Korea. Yonhap

By Kwon Mee-yoo

"The Etruscan language is a mystery. Yet in Caesar's day it was the everyday language of the bulk of the people in central Italy. … Yet now the language is entirely lost," English writer D. H. Lawrence wrote in "Sketches of Etruscan Places and other Italian essays."

He was fascinated by the ancient Italian civilization after his trip to Tuscany and published the essay on Etruscans, chanting the eulogy of the almost forgotten people.

"The Etruscans ― Rising to Rome," an exhibition currently underway at the Special Exhibition Gallery of the National Museum of Korea (NMK), sheds light on the obscure civilization that began around 900 B.C. during the Iron Age and lasted through 100 B.C. until it was absorbed by Rome.

"This is the first exhibition to introduce Etruria properly to Korea. Everyone knows Roman culture, but Etruscan is unfamiliar. However, Etruria is the essence of Mediterranean civilization, which had a primary influence on modern European history as well. Understanding the Etruscans provides a chance to better understand the depth of Romans," Bae Ki-dong, director general of NMK, said.

The Etruscan era is equivalent to the Bronze Age and early Iron Age on the Korean peninsula, around when the legend of Dangun, the founder of the first Korean Kingdom, is set.

"Our museum has been holding exhibitions on ancient cultures for Korean audiences since 2008. These exhibits aim to help visitors understand the core of Western civilization from the perspective of cultural diversity. Better understanding of such diversity is vital to the stability and prosperity of a society and it is the national flagship museum's responsibility to perform the role."

At the exhibition, some 300 Etruscan artifacts are on view, ranging from a 7th century chariot to cinerary urns showcasing the ancient people's funeral processions. The exhibit is held in cooperation with prestigious Italian museums such as the National Archaeological Museum of Florence and the Guarnacci Museum of Volterra.

"Rome is often known as the root of Western culture, but the Romans are influenced heavily by the Etruscans in architecture, religion, symbols and letters. Most of the Etruscan civilization was made of wood and mud and disappeared without trace," curator Noh Hee-sook said.

The curator borrowed words from Lawrence's "Sketches of Etruscan Places and other Italian essays" to give insight into the ancient civilization.

Etruscans also established elaborate funeral processions and built necropolises outside city walls, believing that the afterlife is an eternal journey and should be well-prepared.

"This hill is the necropolis hill! The Etruscans never buried their dead within the city walls," Lawrence wrote.

A variety of funeral urns have been discovered throughout Etruscan archaeological sites and show the border between the living and the dead. The cinerary urns are decorated with images describing the journey to the underworld, escorted by Vanth and Charun beyond the doors of Hades.

A cinerary urn in the shape of a hut, dating back to the 9th century B.C., gives a glimpse of the early Etruscan architecture of oval- or rectangular-shaped huts.

"And death, to Etruscans, was a pleasant continuance of life, with jewels and wine and flutes playing for the dance. It was neither an ecstasy of bliss, a heaven, nor purgatory of torment," Lawrence wrote.

The writer lauded the Etruscans' strong influence on the Roman culture in his book.

"Because the Roman took the life out of the Etruscans; was he therefore greater than the Etruscan? Not he! Rome fell, and the Roman phenomenon with it. Italy today is far more Etruscan in its pulse, than Roman; and will always be so," Lawrence wrote.

The "The Etruscans ― Rising to Rome" exhibit runs through Oct. 27.

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