The Etruscan World (Routledge Worlds)

• chapter 19: Etruscan goods in the Mediterranean world –

building has been interpreted by L.-F. Gantès, director of the excavations, as a ceremonial
banquet hall, a dining room.^146 From this single context comes the fragment of a Greek
Massaliot amphora bearing a truncated inscription in large Etruscan letters permitting
identifi cation as a gift of a diplomatic character (Fig. 17.4).^147

Extraordinary concentrations of Etruscan objects in domestic contexts

In the western Mediterranean, Etruscan ceramics found far from Etruria appear primarily
in domestic contexts and are of an apparently dispersed nature. It is true that no
houses with Etruscan goods have been the subject of extensive excavations, save for the
partial exception of Saint-Blaise, Lattes and Empúries; none of the sixth-century levels
was suffi ciently documented so as to allow for a room-by-room comparative analysis.
However, we might note two important facts. The fi rst is the recurrent association of
certain categories of objects: bucchero vases, Etrusco-Corinthian vases and transport
amphorae appear near the port settlements in the northern maritime sector (Marseille,
Saint-Blaise, Lattes, Empúries, Ullastret) and also in the southern maritime sector
(Carthage, Malaga, Huelva). Many of these sites have revealed Etruscan bronzes, either in
the settlements themselves (Lattes?, Empúries-Ampurias, Ullastret, Malaga, Carthage) or
in the necropoleis (Lattes?, Empúries, Huelva, Carthage). The second fact concerns some
of these settlements where we observe Etruscan ceramics gathered in buildings located
in proximity to the ancient harbors: Marseille (the earliest habitation on Îlot Cathédrale),
Saint-Blaise (rim of the Lavalduc pond), Lattes (zone 27), Ullastret (Illa d’en Reixac),
Malaga (Cerro del Villar), Huelva (Calle del Puerto). This concatenation of interlocking
data suffi ces to open an inquiry into the hypothesis of the Archaic Etruscan “fonduk” as
suggested in Chapter 17.^148

Shipwrecks, underwater and river fi nds

The discovery of Etruscan objects sunk in transport is of capital importance when
evaluating the commercialization of goods coming from Etruria. A string of shipwrecks
dating to the sixth century and transporting Etruscan cargoes (amphorae, dining wares,
bronzes) was recognized on the route reaching between southern Etruria and southern
Gaul: Isola del Giglio, Antibes, Bon Porté, Dattier, Pointe Lequin, Grand Ribaud F,
and the area of Cap d’Agde. In the waters of the Isle of Giglio were identifi ed no fewer
than three shipwrecks containing Etruscan amphorae, the most important of which
is Campese, dating to the beginning of the sixth century. It is the oldest underwater
deposit of Etruscan vases, while the ship itself is in general considered to be Greek.^149
The Giglio shipwreck, although heavily looted, has furnished a parade helmet, musical
instruments, writing implements, ingots of copper and lead, as well as Etruscan and
Greek ceramics and amphorae for the transport of wine, oil, and olives. The shipwreck
from Cap d’Antibes, dating to the mid-sixth century, contained a cargo of Etruscan
amphorae (approximately 180 examples), several Greek amphorae, and bucchero vases
(40 kantharoi and 25 oinochoai approximately), Etrusco-Corinthian vases (seven cups
and three plates), basins, ollette and bowls in impasto, as well as a Punic lamp with two
spouts.^150 The other shipwrecks have mainly furnished amphorae, while the excavated
portion of Grand Ribaud F (end of the sixth century) has revealed a cargo containing
amphorae – some inscribed – ceramics and piles of small dishes in bronze.