\li105 \f1 \fs22 Like many other civilizations in the Mediterranean region, in the early part of their history the Etrusca
ns had an economy based essentially on agriculture and stock rearing. But the mineral resources of Elba, the Populonia region, and the Tolfa mountains were exploited even in very ancient times. It was from these two resources, metal ores and farming, tha
t the Etruscans derived their splendor and power. The Etruscans learned to build ships at a very early date, and thus were able to export these goods all over the Mediterranean region, trading them for splendid and valuable manufactured articles from the
East, from the Phoenician world, and from Greece. In addition to providing food, stock raising supplied beasts of burden that were indispensable to the transport of goods on land and to the cultivation of fields. Other important activities were handicra
