Adding to the mystery is the discovery of a tiny piece of wood inscribed with three letters in the Etruscan language. The inscription spells ATI, which may be part of a person’s name.

A 500-pound stone tablet found in the foundation of an Etruscan temple at the Poggio Colla site in Tuscany. This stele is a rare example of a lengthy Etruscan text that is not funeral-related.

The Etruscan civilization pre-dates the Roman empire by nearly 500 years and although they were at war with the new group, the discovery suggests they both prayed at the same sanctuary.