FALISCANS (FALISCI)

   A distinct linguistic group on the southeastern edge of Etruria, bounded by the bend in the Tiber River. As well as linguistic differences from the Etruscans that connected the Faliscans to the Latins, their settlement organization and ritual practices, particularly in death, show characteristic features. Their settlement organization lacks the profound centralized character of South Etruscan settlement organization and appears much more decentralized, in smaller cooperative communities. This has raised the question of the political relationship to their large urban neighbor, Veii. A number of recent scholars have suggested that the Faliscan area was politically subject to the Estruscans, while showing cultural resistance and identity through a well-defined and distinctive material culture and other practices. Funerary practice includes a distinctive plasticity of material culture. The main Faliscan centers include Castellaccio (Corchiano), Colfiorito, Corchiano, Falerii Veteres, Via Flaminia, Gallese, Monte Lombrica, Narce, Nazzano Romano, and Nepi.