ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chaper of this book. The book is intended as a fresh look at the exceptional artifacts and their archaeological and social contexts. It focuses on the unique phenomenon of Etruscan dental appliances, or bridges in modern terminology, that were made to be worn by a few elite women in central Italy, Etruria and its environs, from the seventh century down to the end of the first millennium bce. The technology and skilled labor represented in the golden appliances is just as interesting to analyze. Deneffe was the first to attempt to provide a catalogue of ancient gold dental appliances. Ancient Etruscan goldsmithing skills are well known to archaeologists and art collectors. The Etruscans were often slandered by their enemies/neighbors, both Greek and Roman, who felt disadvantaged politically and economically in their dealings with them.
