The Villanovan culture was an early Iron Age civilization that emerged in central Italy, particularly in the region of Etruria, around the 9th century BCE. It is considered a precursor to the more well-known Etruscan civilization. Villanovan people were skilled in metalworking, pottery, and trade, and they often buried their dead in urns, which were placed in simple grave sites. Villanovan society was characterized by its distinctive pottery, often decorated with geometric patterns, and its use of iron tools. The culture played a significant role in the development of urban centers in Etruria and laid the groundwork for the later Etruscan advancements in art, architecture, and governance.