VILLANOVAN CULTURE Meaning and
Definition
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Villanovan culture refers to an ancient civilization that emerged in the region of central Italy, particularly in the present-day regions of Tuscany, Lazio, and Umbria, during the Iron Age. This culture existed from approximately the ninth century BCE to the seventh century BCE, representing a significant period of pre-Roman civilization in Italy.
The Villanovan culture is characterized by its distinctive burial customs, which involved cremating the deceased and depositing the ashes in urns placed within grave goods, such as pottery vessels and jewelry. These urns were often buried in small burial mounds known as tumuli. Additionally, the Villanovans practiced agriculture and animal husbandry as their primary means of sustenance.
Artifacts and archaeological findings suggest that the Villanovan culture had developed complex social structures. They possessed skilled metalworking techniques, producing bronze tools and weapons, as well as elaborately crafted personal ornaments like fibulae and earrings. Their ceramic production was also notable for its sophistication.
The Villanovans are believed to have had a close relationship with the Etruscans, who succeeded them in the region. In fact, the Villanovan culture is considered an important precursor to the Etruscan civilization, as it exhibits various similarities in art, burial practices, and material culture.
Overall, the Villanovan culture represents a crucial period in the ancient history of Italy, revealing insights into the socio-economic structures, artistic practices, and religious beliefs of the pre-Roman inhabitants of the Italian peninsula during the Iron Age.
Etymology of VILLANOVAN CULTURE
The term "Villanovan culture" is derived from the name of the Italian town of Villanova, near Bologna, where archaeological evidence of a distinctive Iron Age culture was first discovered. The term was coined in the early 20th century by the archaeologist and historian of art, Bernhard Schweitzer, who used it to refer to the pre-Roman culture of central Italy between the 9th and 7th centuries BCE. The name "Villanovan" has since been widely adopted to describe this specific archaeological culture and its related artifacts and burial practices.
