In San Casciano dei Bagni, a village in the province of Siena in the Italian county of Tuscany, since 2019 archaeologists have been working among the ruins of an ancient Roman bath.
Their findings were made public on Tuesday. It consists of over 20 beautifully preserved bronze statues, dating back to the time of the ancient Romans in Tuscany, according to Reuters.
EXCAVATION: Archaeologists have been working in the ruins of the ancient bathhouse since 2019. Photo: Ministry of Culture / NTB
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– Amazing
Some of the statues are estimated to be up to 2,300 years old, according to The Guardian.
“One of the most sensational finds in the history of the ancient Mediterranean region” is the description provided by Massimo Osanna of the Italian Ministry of Culture.
In total, the find is made up of 24 large statues. Five of them are almost a meter tall, but in the new discovery there should also be several smaller statues.
The statues were covered with about 6,000 coins in bronze, silver and gold, according to Reuters.
WELL PRESERVED: The hot and muddy water in which the statues were found probably helped to preserve the statues in almost the same condition as when they were submerged, the professor believes. Photo: Italian Ministry of Culture / AFP / NTB
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– Unique treasures
– The exceptional discovery proves once again that Italy is a country with enormous and unique treasures, says Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano.
The period to which the statues are dated was dominated by the ancients in this area of Italy Etruscans.
The statues will show different deities from Greek and Roman mythology, including the goddess Hygieia and Apollo.
Archaeologists came across the statues during excavations at the ancient spa of San Casciano dei Bagni, near Siena, which contains 42 thermal springs.
DISCOVERY: The photo, released on November 8, shows one of the 2,300-year-old bronze statues recently discovered in San Casciano dei Bagni. Photo: Italian Ministry of Culture / AFP / NTB
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– Gives to the water
Professor Jacopo Tabolli of the University for Foreigners of Siena, who coordinates the excavations, says according to Reuters that the hot, muddy water in the ancient Roman bath complex helped to preserve the statues in almost the same condition as when they were immersed in it.
He also says that he believes this immersion occurred in connection with some kind of ritual.
– You give to water because you hope that the water will give you something back, he explains.
