The Legion of Honor in San Francisco will present "The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy" from 2 May to 20 September, featuring nearly 200 objects including jewellery, sculptures, and vessels from the ancient Etruscan civilisation. The exhibition highlights recent archaeological discoveries, such as the Liber Linteus Zagrabiensis—the longest surviving Etruscan text—and grave objects from the Regolini-Galassi Tomb, many making their US debut. Curator Renée Dreyfus aims to correct negative portrayals of the Etruscans by Greeks and Romans and showcase their cultural achievements.
This exhibition matters because it addresses a significant gap in public knowledge about the Etruscans, who thrived for 800 years but are less studied than other ancient societies. By presenting new scholarship, including breakthroughs in understanding the Etruscan language, and demonstrating how Etruscan innovations—such as hydraulic systems and city planning—influenced Roman culture, the show reframes the Etruscans as a resilient and influential civilisation rather than a conquered people. It also builds on growing interest in Etruscan studies and offers a rare opportunity to see key artifacts on US soil.