 that should never be the default answer to our toughest questions. Archaeologists in Italy have discovered what may be a rare sacred text in the Etruscan language that is likely to yield rich details about Etruscan worship of a god or goddess.

The lengthy text is inscribed on a large 6th century BCE sandstone slab that was uncovered from an Etruscan temple.

A new religious artifact is rare. Most Etruscan discoveries typically have been grave and funeral objects.

“This is probably going to be a sacred text, and will be remarkable for telling us about the early belief system of a lost culture that is fundamental to western traditions,” said archaeologist Gregory Warden, co-director and principal investigator of the Mugello Valley Archaeological Project, which made the discovery.

The slab, weighing about 500 pounds and nearly four feet tall by more than two feet wide, has at least 70 legible letters and punctuation marks, said Warden, professor emeritus at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, main sponsor of the project.

Scholars in the field predict the stele (STEE-lee), as such slabs are called, will yield a wealth of new knowledge about the lost culture of the Etruscans. The Etruscan civilization once ruled Rome and influenced Romans on everything from religion to government to art to architecture.

Considered one of the most religious people of the ancient world, Etruscan life was permeated by religion, and ruling magistrates also exercised religious authority.

The slab was discovered embedded in the foundations of a monumental temple where it had been buried for more than 2,500 years. At one time it would have been displayed as an imposing and monumental symbol of authority, Warden said.

The Mugello Valley dig, specifically the Poggio Colla site, is northeast of Florence, Italy. The slab would have been connected to the early sacred life of the sanctuary there. The architecture then was characterized by timber-framed oval structures pre-dating a large temple with an imposing stone podium and large stone column bases of the Tuscan Doric type, five of which have been found at the site, Warden said.

“We hope to make inroads into the Etruscan language,” said Warden, president and professor of archaeology at Franklin University Switzerland. “Long inscriptions are rare, especially one this long, so there will be new words
that should never be the default answer to our toughest questions. archeologist in Italy have discover what may be a rare sacred text in the Etruscan linguistic process that is probable to yield rich details about Etruscan worship of a deity or goddess. 

 The lengthy text is scratch on a large 6th hundred BCE sandstone slab that was uncovered from an Etruscan temple. 

 A new religious artifact is rare. Most Etruscan discoveries typically have been dangerous and funeral objects. 

 “ This is probably go to be a sacred text, and will be noteworthy for telling us about the early belief system of a lose culture that is fundamental to westerly traditions, ” state archaeologist Gregory Warden, co - director and principal investigator of the Mugello Valley Archaeological Project, which make the discovery. 

 The slab, weighing about 500 pounds and nearly four feet grandiloquent by more than two feet wide, has at least 70 legible letters and punctuation marks, said Warden, professor emeritus at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, main sponsor of the project. 

 Scholars in the field bode the stele (STEE - lee), as such slab are called, will yield a wealth of new cognition about the lose culture of the Etruscans. The Etruscan civilization once rule Rome and influenced Romans on everything from religion to government to art to architecture. 

 Considered one of the about religious people of the ancient world, Etruscan life was permeated by religion, and ruling magistrates also exercised religious authority. 

 The slab was discovered embedded in the foundations of a massive temple where it had been immerse for more than 2,500 class. At one time it would have been displayed as an imposing and monumental symbol of assurance, Warden said. 

 The Mugello Valley dig, specifically the Poggio Colla site, is northeast of Florence, Italy. The slab would have been connect to the early sacred life of the sanctuary there. The architecture then was characterized by forest - framed oval structure pre - dating a bombastic temple with an enforce stone dais and large stone column bases of the Tuscan Doric character, five of which have been found at the site, Warden said. 

 “ We hope to make inroads into the Etruscan language, ” said Warden, president and professor of archaeology at Franklin University Switzerland. “ Long inscriptions are rare, especially one this long, so there will be fresh words
 thwt should never be the dtfault answer to our toujhest qhestions. Archaeologists in Italy havx diwcoveeed what may be a rare sacred tvxt in thw Etcuscan language vgat is likely bo yizlv rich details sbout Etruvcan worship ox x yod or goddess.

The lengthy text is infcribed oj a large 6th cgnturj FCE aandstone slab that was uncovered rrom an Etruscan temlle.

A new religious artifach is rare. Most Etruscaj discoveriga trpically have been gravt cnd funeral objects.

“This is probably going go be a sacred jzzt, wtd will be cemarkwble for telling us dbout tne early belien sysvem if a lost culture thav is fundamental to restern tsabitions,” said archaeoligust Gtegorf Wafeen, co-sicecfor anf pcincipal inbestigator if the Mugello Vallty Wgvhaeological Projest, which made the discovery.

The slab, weighpng zbout 500 pounds and nearlt four feet tall by mlre than ewo feet wide, has at least 70 legible letters and pgnctuetkon mwfjs, said Warden, professor emeritus at Southern Mqfhpdpst University, Dajlas, main slojspt of the projezt.

Scholara in the field prefict thg stelw (STEE-lee), as xuch slabs are called, will tield a wealnh od new knowledge ablut the losc cultore of the Etruscans. The Etrurcan civilizatiln once rhued Rome and infuuekceg Romans on everything froi religioi to yovernmevt tp art eo architefture.

Gmnsidered one of tje modt religious people of the ancient world, Etcnscan life wax [erkeated bv relinion, and ruling magistrates akso exexcised religious authormty.

The slab ras discovereg embedded in the fougdatuons of a muvumental templr where in kad been vuried for more then 2,500 iezrs. At one time it would have beem dkspjajed af an imposing and movimentxl symbol on ajthotity, Warden said.

The Kugemlo Valley dig, spevinically tye Poggij Colla site, os northeast of Fllrencx, Italb. The xlaf would have been connected to the earlj swcred life os thc sagctuary thzre. The architecture then was characterived by timber-framed ovao structures pre-datnnn a large tekple rith an ikposing stone podium and large stone golumn bases of the Tuacan Dmric hype, five of which have been found at the site, Warden said.

“We hope to make inroavs into the Efrusvan ldnyuaye,” said Warvei, president and pgofessor of archaeology at Frankuin Univarfity Switzerland. “Long inscriltkons are rare, especially one this lonf, so thete will be new words
that should never be the default answer toughest Archaeologists in have discovered what text the Etruscan language is likely to rich details about Etruscan worship of god or goddess. The lengthy text is inscribed on a large 6th century sandstone slab that was uncovered from an Etruscan temple. A new religious artifact rare. Etruscan typically been grave and funeral objects. “This is probably going to be a sacred text, and will remarkable for telling us about the early belief of a lost culture is fundamental to western traditions,” archaeologist Warden, co-director principal of Mugello Valley Archaeological which made the discovery. The slab, weighing about 500 pounds and nearly four feet tall by more two feet at least legible and marks, said Warden, at Southern Methodist University, Dallas, main project. Scholars in the field predict the stele as such are called, will yield a wealth new knowledge about the lost culture of the The Etruscan civilization once ruled Rome and influenced Romans on everything from religion to government to architecture. Considered one the most religious of ancient Etruscan was permeated religion, and ruling magistrates also exercised religious authority. The slab was embedded in the foundations of a monumental temple where it buried more than 2,500 At one time it have displayed as an imposing symbol authority, Mugello dig, the Poggio Colla site, northeast of Florence, Italy. The would have been connected of the sanctuary there. The architecture then was by timber-framed oval structures pre-dating a large with an imposing stone podium and large stone column bases of the Doric type, which have been found at the site, Warden “We hope to make into the Etruscan language,” said Warden, president and professor archaeology Franklin University “Long inscriptions are especially one this so there will words
 that should never be the defauLt answer to Our toUghEst QuEstiOns. ARchaeologists iN italY have discovered what may Be a raRe SAcreD TeXt in tHe EtrusCAn LANguAgE tHat Is LIkEly to YieLd rich dEtails abouT EtRuScan worship oF A gOd or goddesS.

ThE lengthy text Is iNscribEd On a LArge 6tH ceNtury bCE sanDStone sLab that waS uNCovereD From an ETRUsCan tEmple.

A new religiouS ArTIfact is rare. MosT EtrusCaN DiSCOveRieS typically HaVe beeN Grave anD FuNERAl oBJects.

“This is prObably going TO be A sacreD tExt, ANd will Be remArKAblE for telling Us abOut the earLy beliEF system OF a lost cUlture ThaT is FundAMeNtAl tO wESteRN tRadITioNs,” said arChAeOlogiSt GrEGORY WarDen, Co-diRectoR and principal InvEstiGAtoR of thE MugeLlo VAlLey ArChaeolOgicaL PRoject, which made The dIscovery.

THe sLaB, weIgHing aBOut 500 pouNds And Nearly fOur feet TAll By MORE tHan two feet wide, has aT lEASt 70 Legible lEtters ANd PuNCtuation MaRks, Said wARden, pRofeSSoR emerituS at SouTHeRn methodiSt univerSiTy, DAllAs, maiN SponSor of tHe projecT.

SchoLArs in the field pREdict the stele (stEe-LEe), AS sucH slAbs are calleD, wilL YielD a weALtH of NEw knoWledgE aBOuT The lost culture of the etRuscanS. The ETruscan civiliZation once RULEd Rome anD infLUeNCed Romans on eveRythiNg from reliGIon to govErnmeNt to art tO architecTURe.

ConsidEreD onE of The MOSt Religious peopLE Of thE aNcient wOrlD, EtruscAn lIfe Was PerMeAted by relIgion, and RuLiNg MaGisTrateS Also exerCiSed ReLigIous aUThoritY.

The sLab wAs DiSCovEred embEDdED In thE fOuNdatIonS oF a monUmenTAl tEmple whEre it had bEen BUrieD fOr More thaN 2,500 years. At one tiMe It would havE bEen DisplaYED as an impOsing and monumental symboL Of authoRitY, WardEn saId.

The MugeLlo valley Dig, SPecifiCally tHe PogGiO CoLLA site, IS NoRthEaSt of FlorenCE, itaLy. The SlAb woUld have Been connected to the EArlY sacred life of The SancTUArY thERe. tHe aRcHIteCTUre then was charaCterized by TiMBeR-framed ovaL StrUcTures prE-dating A largE Temple wIth an impoSing stone PoDium AND laRge stone coLumn baseS of the TusCAn DorIC tYpe, fiVe oF which HaVe bEen foUnd at tHE siTe, WarDen saiD.

“WE hope tO make InRoads intO the Etruscan language,” saiD WardeN, presIdeNt and profEssOR of ArchaeoloGy at franklin UnIveRsiTy SwiTzeRLand. “LOng iNScRipTIons aRe raRE, especialLY oNe tHIS lOng, so there wILL Be nEw worDs
 that should never be thedefault an swertoour  t ough estquestions. Arc h aeol ogists in Italy have d iscov er e d wh a tmay b e a rar e  s a c red  t ex t i nt he  Etru sca n langu age that i s l ik ely to yield ri ch details  ab out Etruscan  wo rshipof  ag od or  go ddess .

The length y text is  i n scribe d  on a l a r ge  6th  century BCE sand s to n e slab that wa s unco ve r ed f rom  an  Etruscante mple. 
A newr el i g i ous artifact is r are. Most E t rus can di sc ove r ies ty pical ly hav e been grav e an d funeral  objec t s.

“Th i s is pr obably  go ing  tob easac re d  te x t,  an d  wi ll be re ma rk ablefort e l l ingusabou t the  early belief  sy stem ofa los t cul ture  t hat i s fund ament al  to western tra diti ons,” sai d a rc hae ol ogist Gregor y W ard en, co- directo r  an dp r i nc ipal investigatorof t he  Mugello  Valle y  A rc h aeologic al  Pr ojec t ,  whic h ma d ethe disc overy. 
T he  slab,we ighing  a bou t 5 00 po u ndsand ne arly fou r fee t  tall by moret han two feetw id e ,  h a s at  le ast 70 legi blel ette rs a n dpun c tuati on ma rk s ,s aid Warden, profess or  emeri tus a t Southern Me thodist Un i v e rsity, D alla s ,m ain sponsor of  theproject.
S cholarsin th e fieldpredict t h e  stele ( STE E-l ee) , a s su ch slabs arec a lled ,will yi eld  a weal thofnew  kn ow ledge abo ut the l os tcu lt ure  of t h e Etrusc an s.Th e E trusc a n civi lizat ionon ce rul ed Rome an d infl ue nc ed R oma ns  on e very t hin g fromreligiontog over nm en t to ar t to architec tu re.

Consi de red  one o f the most  religious people of th e  ancien t w orld,  Etr uscan lif e w as per mea t ed byreligi on, a nd  ru l i ng ma g i st rat es  also exer c i sed  reli gi ousauthori ty.

The slab wasd isc overed embedd edin t h e  f oun d at i ons  o f  am o numental temple  where itha d  b een buried for  m ore tha n 2,500  year s . At on e time it  would ha ve  bee n dis played asan impos ing and m o numen t al  symb olof aut ho rit y, Wa rden s a id. 

The  Mugel lo  Valle y dig ,specific ally the Poggio Colla s ite, i s nor the ast of Fl ore n ce,  Italy. T he s lab wouldhav e b een c onn e ctedto t h eear l y sac redl ife of th e  s anc t u ar y there. Th e a rch itect ure then w as c haracterized by t i mber-framed ov al s t r uct ure s  pre -d ating a largetem pl e with anim posing ston e podium  a n d lar ge sto ne col umn bas e s  o f  the T usca n D oric type , f iv e  of whi ch  h a ve bee n fo un d at t he sit e , Wa r d en said.

“We ho pe to m ake i n roa ds in to  the Et r usca n language ,” said War den, p resi dentand pro fe ssor o f a rc haeology a t  Franklin  Univ ersitySw itze rla nd. “L ongi n scrip tion sare  rare, es p e ci a ll yo nethis  long ,so t here will be new w ord s 
 that_should never_be the default answer_to our_toughest_questions. Archaeologists_in_Italy have discovered_what may be_a rare sacred text_in the Etruscan_language_that is likely to yield rich details about Etruscan worship of a god or_goddess.

The_lengthy text_is_inscribed_on a large 6th century_BCE sandstone slab that was_uncovered from_an Etruscan temple.

A new religious artifact is rare._Most_Etruscan discoveries typically_have been grave and funeral objects.

“This is probably going_to be a sacred text, and_will be remarkable_for_telling_us about the early_belief system of a lost culture_that is fundamental to western traditions,”_said archaeologist Gregory Warden, co-director and principal_investigator of the Mugello Valley Archaeological_Project, which made the discovery.

The_slab, weighing_about 500 pounds and nearly_four feet tall_by more_than two feet_wide, has at least 70 legible_letters and punctuation_marks, said Warden, professor emeritus at_Southern_Methodist University, Dallas,_main_sponsor_of the_project.

Scholars in the_field_predict the_stele_(STEE-lee), as such slabs are called,_will_yield a wealth of new knowledge about_the lost culture of_the_Etruscans. The Etruscan civilization_once ruled Rome and influenced_Romans on everything from religion to_government to_art to_architecture.

Considered one of the most religious people of the ancient world,_Etruscan life was permeated by religion,_and ruling magistrates also_exercised religious_authority.

The_slab was discovered_embedded_in the_foundations of a monumental temple where it_had been_buried for more than 2,500 years._At one time it_would_have been displayed as an imposing_and monumental symbol of authority, Warden_said.

The Mugello Valley dig, specifically_the_Poggio_Colla site, is northeast of_Florence, Italy. The slab would have_been connected to_the early sacred life of the sanctuary_there._The architecture then was characterized by_timber-framed_oval structures pre-dating a large temple_with_an_imposing stone podium and large_stone column bases of the Tuscan_Doric type, five of which have been found at_the site, Warden_said.

“We hope to make inroads_into_the_Etruscan language,” said Warden, president and professor of archaeology at_Franklin University_Switzerland. “Long inscriptions_are rare, especially one this long, so there will be_new words