Origin of the Etruscans
Posted: Sat Apr 17, 2004 2:50 pm
Salvete,
All of you probably know the two main theories about the origin of the Etruscans (many others, of recent making exist though, linking them to almost any known civilisation in a range of a few thousands of kilometers around Etruria) : Herodotos' version tells that they emigrated from Lydia in Asia Minor, Dionysios of Halikarnassos claims they are autochtonous Italia. In the recent past, unanimity among historians was increasing that the latter theory was right, especially as many characteristic traits of the Villanova civilisation, which preceded the Etruscans, also showed in the Etruscan civilisation itself, thus establishing that Etruscan culture would simply be a more advanced continuation of Villanova culture.
The documentary on France 2 that I just saw however (it was also broadcasted at noon) introduced yet another theory, very recently authored by an Italian geneticist, Alberto Piazza. After a genetical analysis of the population of Murlo, a secluded village in present day Tuscany (=Etruria), which has strong Etruscan biological roots (this appears to be established not only by their own claims, but also by comparison with fossile Etruscan DNA), Piazza concluded that the genetical link with Asia Minor is real, and thus, that, contrary to the consensus of the archaeologists that had just been established, Herodotos' theory would be right...
Before passing any judgment on this new theory though, I would like to look up Piazza's books or article(s) published on the subject, and the reviews/criticisms (if any yet, seen the recent announcement of it) his theory has already received. Unfortunately, I did not find any additional information related to his research on the net. Anyway, speculations and discussions can once again begin
Valete,
Q. Pomponius Atticus
All of you probably know the two main theories about the origin of the Etruscans (many others, of recent making exist though, linking them to almost any known civilisation in a range of a few thousands of kilometers around Etruria) : Herodotos' version tells that they emigrated from Lydia in Asia Minor, Dionysios of Halikarnassos claims they are autochtonous Italia. In the recent past, unanimity among historians was increasing that the latter theory was right, especially as many characteristic traits of the Villanova civilisation, which preceded the Etruscans, also showed in the Etruscan civilisation itself, thus establishing that Etruscan culture would simply be a more advanced continuation of Villanova culture.
The documentary on France 2 that I just saw however (it was also broadcasted at noon) introduced yet another theory, very recently authored by an Italian geneticist, Alberto Piazza. After a genetical analysis of the population of Murlo, a secluded village in present day Tuscany (=Etruria), which has strong Etruscan biological roots (this appears to be established not only by their own claims, but also by comparison with fossile Etruscan DNA), Piazza concluded that the genetical link with Asia Minor is real, and thus, that, contrary to the consensus of the archaeologists that had just been established, Herodotos' theory would be right...
Before passing any judgment on this new theory though, I would like to look up Piazza's books or article(s) published on the subject, and the reviews/criticisms (if any yet, seen the recent announcement of it) his theory has already received. Unfortunately, I did not find any additional information related to his research on the net. Anyway, speculations and discussions can once again begin
Valete,
Q. Pomponius Atticus