Page:An Elementary History of Art.djvu/76

46 Etruscan Architecture. and the condition of the soul in the other world, etc. The facades of the tombs have every appearance of great antiquity, and slightly resemble in outline the fronts of Egyptian temples (Fig. 23a). The finest of these tombs are at Corneto, Vulci, Chiusi, Castellaccio, and Norchia, a group of cities to be found in Central Italy. Objects of ornament or use of a great variety were found in the tombs, — many of them carved and polished. The most Fig. 23a.— Facade of Tomb at Castellaccio. interesting are the painted vases, a number of which are to be seen at the British Museum ; but many of them formerly called Etruscan are now proved to be of Greek origin. That the Etruscans had a distinctive style of architecture we only know from written records ; no re- mains of religious buildings have been discovered. The Etruscan language has never yet been fully deciphered, and until this is achieved we must remain ignorant of much that existing inscriptions might reveal.