Their skill in working metals by Rita Messeri Various theories have been formulated about the origin of the Etruscans, ranging from their being an aboriginal race, or a people that came from Asia Minor or from the North. Traces of their presence have been recorded from the 8th century BC to the 3rd century BC, in the area between the rivers Arno and Tiber, between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apennines, known as Etruria, from where the Etruscan civilization spread to the Po valley and Campania. The confederations of cities or the single city-states were run and governed by the Lucomone, who was also the holder of religious power. We owe our knowledge of the customs and cult of the Etruscans to these upper classes. In fact, the necropolises with their funeral furnishings and murals are evidence of a society which in its upper classes was both refined and learned.
Evidence is provided in the frescoes depictino feasts with dances and music, and hunting scenes.
Populonia is one of the many examples available of city-states. It owed its fortune to the working of iron from the island of Elba. Even today, dross from the blast furnaces still comes to the surface in the sand in the gulf of Baratti. By studying the gulf and necropolis, close to the beach, we can understand the way in which Populonia grew. Its acropolis is at the top of the hill and lower down are the furnaces, near the landingplace for the ships which brought iron from Elba.