Tuscany Regional History
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Hundreds of thousands of years ago, Tuscany lay largely under water. Its current coast was completely submerged as were many inland areas, forming large lakes, while the higher hills like those leading down to Lucca were islands. When the lakes receded, river basins were formed an the low-lying silt deposits built up to form what are now the modern day Tuscan plains of Florence, Pisa, Grosseto and Pistoia.
During Prehistoric times brought the first men to the region. Remnants of small tribal settlements usually in woodlands near lakes or rivers are being uncovered still today. However, the first lasting mark of man in the region came with the Etruscans who settled there around 400 BC.
There are several theories concerning where the Etruscans came from ranging from Greece or Turkey, to Asia or even Atlantis but their exact origin remains a mystery still today, due largely to the fact we have yet to decipher their language. What is known is that they were a civilization advanced in building, sailing, and the arts. Their influence spread throughout much of Italy, from the Po Valley to Campania, and can still be seen today: in the landscape; in the art; and in the faces of the Tuscan people (who retained many of the Etruscan physical characteristics).
The Romans conquered the Etruscans 351 BC but colonization of the land was not complete until first century BC...