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Antiquities Lecture: Discovering the Etruscans
Antiquities Lecture: Discovering the Etruscans
Dive into the fascinating world of the Etruscans, an ancient civilization that flourished in Italy for over a millennium yet remains largely unknown to many. This lecture will explore their unique contributions to art and architecture, uncover the mysteries of their non-Indo-European language, and highlight how modern archaeological advancements have deepened our understanding of their influence on both ancient Romans and modern Italians. Join us to discover why the Etruscans are more than just a footnote in history.
Lectures are offered free with the cost of daily admission:
- Art+ Museum Members: Free
- Not-Yet-Members: $25
- College Students: Free
Richard Daniel De Puma is the F. Wendell Miller Professor Emeritus of Classical Art and Archaeology, University of Iowa. Throughout his long career and into his “retirement,” Dr. De Puma has combined archaeological excavations with curatorial work at various international renowned museums. He has done field work in Turkey, Tunisia, India and Italy. Specifically, he was co-director with Paolo Togninelli of the excavations at Crustumerium, a Latin settlement just north of Rome.
De Puma was the Lead Curatorial Consultant for the permanent display of the Etruscan collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that opened in 2007, and the accompanying catalog Etruscan Art in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2013). He is currently working on the exhibition and catalogue for “The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy,” which is set to open at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor Museum in May 2026. De Puma has lectured throughout North America, Western Europe and New Zealand. He has been the editor of several journals and was on the Advisory Boards of the American Journal of Archaeology and Etruscan and Italic Studies. Additionally, De Puma is a member of prestigious institutions such as the Istituto di Studi Etruschi ed Italici in Florence, the Deutsches Archaeologishes Institut in Berlin.
Presenting Sponsor: Belinda Dumont
This program is brought to you by members of the Antiquities Circle.
Image: Ash Urn with Bowl. Impasto biconical cinerarium (ceramic vessel); Vulci or Caere [?], Etruria, Italy; Villanovan period, ca. 9th cent. ʙᴄᴇ. Tampa Museum of Art, Gift of Robert and Janette Moody, 1986.284.a-b