accomplishments, were very popular subjects in funerary ceramics. As population and wealth flourished within the settlement, the use of bronze became more and more common. Although the people of Veii first used the metal for necessary items like horse bits and weapons, the material soon became popular among personal belongings such as large rectangular fans, jewelry, and mirrors. Burial Practices The use of burial and cremation altered depending on the stability of the settlement. In the early years, most citizens were cremated. As affluence increased, individuals were freer to bury their loved ones close by in order to visit them regularly. Burial sites dating back to the 9th century BC have been uncovered. As inhumation became more and more popular, the sarcophagi became more and more intricate. Through the use of terracotta, local sculptors began using their talents to add adornments around the coffins, creating detailed accounts of the deceased's life, as well as the deities that meant the most to them. Tombs were commonly decorated with sentimental objects, as well as items they may need in the afterlife. During times of war or economic difficulty, the use of cremation rose. Unlike their ancestors, however, the people of Veii continued the tradition of burial by keeping the urns of their loved ones in miniature tombs. Like the sarcophagi, the urns were made of terracotta and depicted varying scenes important to the diseased individual. Items were still placed in the small tombs; however, the value of the objects steadily dropped as times of financial crisis continued. Etruscan Language Despite having discovered over 10,000 scripts written in the Etruscan language, very little information is known about it today. Many historians and linguists believe its roots involve a combination of Greek and Latin, but specific Etruscan influences have created a seemingly indecipherable code that experts have yet to figure out. Varying examples of Etruscan script have been uncovered all over the ancient world. Although linguists have been able to solve a handful of words, the full extent of the texts remains a mystery. Some experts suggest that the texts may contain the answers to questions pertaining to the creation of the Etruscan civilization, their country of origin, as well as their defeat during the Battle of Veii. Without being able to understand the ancient scripts fully, archaeologists are forced to hypothesize about the civilization through the use of Roman interpretation. The lack of