A young man was making pencil sketches in front of a coffin displayed as part of "The World of the Etruscans" exhibition at the Shanghai Museum.

"The carvings on the coffin are really amazing," said Zhao Dicheng, a sophomore majoring in advertising at Shanghai University. "These displays are so exquisite and they have endured over 2,000 years."

Not far away Lu Yijia, a student at Fudan Junior High School, was making notes in both Chinese and English. "I am fascinated by such a splendid ancient civilization," Lu said. "I have developed an interest in Roman civilization by reading the encyclopaedia."

Now at the Shanghai Museum, she learned more, - especially about the pre-Roman Etruscan civilization which had such an enormous impact on shaping Western society.

"It is the culture that directly generated the Roman one, and I can see the real objects with my eyes instead of in a book," Lu said.

Since opening on July 19 the exhibition has attracted thousands of enthusiastic visitors despite the scorching sun.

Zhou Ling, chief of service for the museum's visitors department, said: "On average, over 2,000 visitors view the exhibition every day, with the maximum reaching some 5,000 a day since the opening."

Major event

Alberto Ricci, one of the exhibit's organizers and president of Centro Promozioni Servizi, an association to promote Italian cultures worldwide, said this is the largest exhibition to journey from Italy to China.

"It represents a major cultural and artistic event organized in the framework of the cultural relations between Italy and China, which is homeland of one of the greatest civilizations in the world," Ricci said.

Chen Xiejun, director of the Shanghai Museum, said the show provides researchers with a wonderful opportunity to delve into the evolution of Western aesthetics.He added that Etruscan culture not only was one of the most advanced Western civilizations from the 9th century BC to the 1st century BC, but also had far-reaching influence on subsequent Western societies.

"Etruscans ardently esteemed nature and love of life. They enjoyed excellent lifestyles. Their sumptuous feast, sports activities and pleasant music fully expressed a proactive attitude," Chen said.

Pioneers

According to Ciuseppina Carlotta, curator of the show, the Etruscans were forebearers of Western wine culture. They cultivated grapes to make wine which was then exported to countries throughout the Mediterranean region, including the south of modern France. That was the very beginning of the renowned French wine industry.

They also pioneered Western banquet culture. In the daily life of Etruscans the banquet was very much a status symbol, indicating to all that the hosts had "arrived" in the estimation of the social elite.

Cianeroni added that life for wealthy Etruscans was extremely pleasant. Lavish receptions were held, in which the guests - men and women of high social standing - reclined on couches waited on by numerous servants. They were entertained by musicians and dancers swaying to the hypnotic but strident rhythms of music played by the Etruscan virtuosos.

The tables were covered with elaborately embroidered cloths on which the various dinner courses were arranged. The dishes included generous selections of fish such as tuna, and meats such as hare, deer and birds.

The Etruscans are also considered the inventors of Western calligraphy, which gave birth to Rome's numerals, alphabet and writing.

They also helped shape Roman fashion. Etruscan men wore a kind of robe which was knotted at the front. This later gave way to the "tunica" which was worn over the head, usually with a colourful cape slung over the shoulders. This cape, usually wide and heavily embroidered, became the national costume of Etruria - the "tebenna," and later it became the Roman toga. Meanwhile, the women wore a long tunic down to the feet, usually of light pleated material that was typically decorated on the edges.

"The Etruscans were a great crafts people, too," said Li Zhongmou, the researcher in the museum's ceramic department.

According to Li, in the Orientalizing Culture of the Etruscan civilization (725-580 BC), the craft of "bucchero" - a type of black clay products - reached its peak.

Though the craft of black clay products reached its apex some 4,000 years ago in China, by the period from 725 to 580 BC the Chinese craft was no longer as good as it used to be, said Li.

The exchange between Italian and Chinese researchers helped them see the difference between the ancient Chinese culture and the Etruscans.

"Even from the objects which were carved in the claywares respectively from China and the Etruscan areas in the same period, we can tell the cultural difference," said Li Zhongmou.

Starting in the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC) the Chinese culture were heavily influenced by Taoism, and patterns on the claywares were mainly abstract forms of plants and clouds. Animal and human figures seldom appeared on the products.During the same period, the Etruscans loved to use animal and human figures on their claywares.

"The Chinese had not started to use human figure on pottery until the Song Dynasty (960-1279)," said Li.

The exhibition continues until November 18.

(China Daily Sep 1, 2003)