Italian Professor Claims to Have Discovered Key to Ancient Etruscan Tongue.

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 6 (Supplement)

Italian Professor Claims to Have Discovered Key to Ancient Etruscan Tongue.

FLORENCE. The first International Etruscan Congress has now closed in Florence and the final sitting; at which Professor Grenier,- of the University of Strasbourg, spoke on the relations between the Etruscans and the Romans and the debt of the latter to, the former, was honoured by the presence of King. Victor Emanuel. * Representatives of loading archaeological and linguistic institutions and associations of Europe, America and Asia had assembled for the congress.. One of the most important themes to oo discussed was naturally the claim ot Professor Trombctti to have discovered after arduous study the key to the Etruscan language. thus opening up those inscriptions .which had hitherto re mained a dead letter. Professor Trombetti that the Etruscan language belongs to a group of Aryan languages, intermediary between the IndoEuropean and the Caucasian.

Other themes discussed included thb religion of the Etruscans, varibus : scholars setting forth their - conclusion's as to its nature, derivations from and relations with'other religions, 1 "The historical and archaeological sections; also held interesting meetings and discus- > sions. ■' .■ V, ;; In his inaugural address, His Excellency, Alessandro Martolli, as representing the Government, paid .high: tribute to the value of the .congress, and.referred especially to the importance of-Pro- ■ lessor Trombctti’s researches’ intß the Etruscan language, which, although the great and> arduousi.'.task was not yet wholly accomplished, had. the GoVern- }■

ment’s hearty encouragement , and support. Ho also declared -the .’intcition of the GovcrhmontUo initiate'/ without interrupting any of the • excavations already in course of accomplishment, an ample, systematic and complete cx ploration. of some inhabited centre of ancient Etruria.