Word: spina
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...Spina, the half-mythical Etruscan "Venice" on the swampy Po delta, was one of the world's great cities in the 5th century B.C. Ancient writings tell tales of its wealth and luxury, but over the centuries the silt of the Po has been pushing the shore line into the Adriatic. Cut off from the sea, Spina declined in late Roman times to a village; then it disappeared. Cemeteries believed to be connected with it were found and recently excavated by both thieves and archaeologists (TIME, Nov. 8, 1954), but the remains of the city itself lay obstinately hidden...
...expert who never lost faith in Spina was Dr. Nereo Alfieri, director of the Museo di Spina in Ferrara. Dr. Alfieri had won a great reputation by finding ruins known only by legend. (Once he found a Roman temple by asking shepherds the way to a "shrine.") He was sure that sometime, somehow, he would find Spina. Last week he could report results...
...eight years he winnowed cryptic manuscripts, dug test holes in promising bits of marsh. He did not find Spina, but he did not give up hope: a government reclamation project was slowly draining the lagoons that covered its presumed site. When the water receded, the exposed flats showed nothing of interest, but Dr. Alfieri, an old hand at archaeological detective work, waited for nature to add the final, necessary touch...
...Spina site will produce no stately, columned temples. All that remains is the foundations of the city, but when they are excavated carefully, they may yield information more interesting than any number of temples. The brilliant Etruscan culture, which flourished before the great days of Rome, is a deep mystery. Etruscan tombs are stuffed with striking art works, but Etruscan remains other than tombs are scarce. Out of Spina, covered for 2,000 years with preserving mud, may come knowledge of Etruscan buildings, government, religion and social structure. Historians may learn where the Etruscans came from; they may even find...
Bathroom Phone. Last week Harry Truman walked from his office to the barbershop of Frank Spina, who served as guidon for Captain Harry of Battery D, 129th Field Artillery, in World War I. Truman was especially careful about his haircut; he had an appointment in Chicago next week, and he wanted to look his best...