Unique find of ancient bronze statues turns up in Italy's Tuscan thermal spa
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Xinhua, November 9, 2022
ROME, Nov. 8 (Xinhua) -- Hidden beneath bubbling mud in an ancient thermal spa, the discovery of 24 well-preserved bronze statues dating back more than 2,000 years could "rewrite history," the Italian Ministry of Culture said Tuesday.
The discovery was made two weeks ago while archaeologists were searching for the original basin of the spa situated in the village of San Casciano dei Bagni in Tuscany.
They were surprised to first find a statue's hands sticking out of the mud, and later on a whole group of them, all dating back to the second century B.C.
One of the findings was depicting Hygieia, the Roman goddess of health, along with statues of other deities and emperors popular during the times of the Roman empire.
"This is the most important discovery since the Riace Bronzes and certainly one of the most significant bronzes ever made in the history of the ancient Mediterranean world," said Massimo Osanna, director general responsible for museums at Italy's Ministry of Culture.
Osanna said the village of San Casciano dei Bagni will exhibit the treasures in a purpose-made museum to be created in a 500-year-old villa. It will also recount the history of the discovery.
The statues were once buried with thousands of coins, household objects, and other artifacts bearing inscriptions in both Latin and Etruscan. They formed part of a religious site and were not intended to be ever found.
Experts said the excavation was the first of its kind in Italy. Jacopo Tabolli from the University of Siena in Tuscany was quoted in local media reports as calling the find "an absolute unique treasure" that "will rewrite history ... (as) the greatest (collection) of statues from ancient Italy and in any case the only one where we can fully reconstruct the history."
The baths at San Casciano dei Bagni were popular with Roman emperors and other high-ranking officials. They operated for around 800 years starting in the third century B.C., until they were outlawed. They were reopened in the 16th century for tourists and locals, but gradually fell into disuse before being refurbished again in recent decades.
The news of the find made front page news in Italy, a country steeped in historical and cultural heritage. Italy is home to 58 world heritage sites recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Enditem
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)