- chapter 17: Etruria Marittima –
coinage), this text on lead could correspond to a sort of bill of exchange (Fr. lettre de
change; Eng. bill of lading or promissory note, bill of exchange), (Fig. 17.6).^25 Finally, the
Greek foundation of Empúries-Ampurias in Catalonia (Girona) has revealed a document
unique outside of Etruria: a feline paw in bronze – probably part of a tripod – bearing the
inscription CAR. This inscription was clearly written in the mould when the object was
fi rst made, revealing the original votive character of the object (Fig. 17.7).^26
The regions of the north-western Mediterranean that provide the largest number
and variation of Etruscan imports are: Marseille and Saint-Blaise in Provence, Lattes in
Languedoc, Ampurias and Ullastret in Catalonia. The Etruscan transport amphorae are
numerous at these sites, and are even in the majority during the fi rst half of the sixth
century, whereas, during the second half, the Greek amphorae of Marseille appear and
multiply rapidly. Concerning Phoenician amphorae, they appear in quite minor but non-
negligible quantities up to the river port of Arles, and we note here the quite remarkable
association of an Etruscan amphora and a Phoenician amphora deposited in the grotto
sanctuary of Le Bouffens near Caunes-Minervois (Aude), at the entrance of the Aquitaine
corridor (Fig 17.8). This path of penetration into Aquitaine is marked by Etruscan vases
reported as far as Toulouse and by borrowed Etruscan ceramic forms rendered in the local
black ceramics, for example, the oinochoe of Carsac, to the south of Carcassonne.^27
Figure 17.6 Coastal oppidum of Pech-Maho (Sigean, Aude), Etruscan inscription mentioning Matalia
(Massalia, Marseille), on lead sheet, with Greek inscription on reverse, fi fth century. Each is a letter of
correspondence of commercial or diplomatic character, differing in content (Gran-Aymerich 2006b).Figure 17.7 Greek colony of Empúries (Ampurias, Emporion), sector of the sanctuary of Aesculapius,
feline paw from a bronze tripod, with inscription made at time of casting, end sixth to beginning fi fth
century. (Gran-Aymerich 2006a).