The Etruscans: Legacy of a Lost Civilization Exhibition (1992-93) from the Vatican Museums and National Geographic Society, Washington, D.C.

“The Etruscans: Legacy of a Lost Civilization” Exhibition (1992-93) unraveled the mystery of a people who dominated central Italy for more than 500 years until conquered by Romans and absorbed into their empire.

Visitors traveled back some 2,500 years to discover a society made up of merchant seamen, engineers, artisans, farmers and warriors – and their families.

Spectacular archaeological excavations were uncovered in Italy between 1834 and 1836 in the necropoli (cities of the dead). This prompted Pope Gregory XVI to announce construction of a museum to house these findings. As a result, the Vatican Gregorian Etruscan Museum was built.  Approximately 178 objects selected from that collection made up the exhibition. Many had never left the Vatican before.