Quote Originally Posted by Son of Perun
Weren't the pilas from Etruscans?
A common enough weapon design in Italy at the time AFAIK. I've read they've found early examples in Etruscan contexts too. By what I've read of it it also took a while before the business end of the pilum developed into its best-known slim form in Roman use - the early types could have fairly substantial and often barbed tips, which no doubt also helped them remain stuck in shields.