Archaeologists in Italy have unearthed 24 ancient bronze statues at a hot spring in Tuscany. The discovery was described as “extraordinary” by Italian Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano, Agenzia Nazionale Stampa Associata (ANSA) reported.
The statues, five of which are about one meter tall, have been discovered alongside thousands of coins, votives and inscriptions in Etruscan and Latin.
For archaeologist Jacopo Taboli of the University for Foreigners of Siena, who has led the project for the past three years, the discovery gives new directions for the end of Etruscan civilization and the expansion of the Roman Empire.
“While social and civil wars were raging, inside the sanctuary, large Etruscan and Roman families of the elite prayed together in a context of peace surrounded by conflict. The possibility of rewriting the relationship and dialectic between the Etruscans and Romans is an exceptional opportunity,” Taboli explained.
The research was supported by the Italian Ministry of Culture and local authorities, in addition to the collaboration of more than 60 experts from around the world.
The ancient bath complex is believed to have existed since at least the 3rd century BC and remained active until the 5th century AD, the archaeologist told ANSA.
During the Christian era, the site was closed – but not destroyed – and its treasures were immersed in the hot thermal waters of stone-enclosed pools.
Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano applauded the discovery, which “reaffirms once again that Italy is a country full of enormous and unique treasures”.
Massimo Osanna, director general of Italy’s state museums, said the case was “the most important discovery since the Riace Bronzes, and certainly one of the most important bronze discoveries ever made in ancient Mediterranean history.”
Osanna has approved the purchase of a 16th-century building in San Casciano to house the newly discovered statues and plans to create an archaeological park in the area in the future, ANSA reported.
Meanwhile, excavation work will stop in the European winter, but must be restarted in the spring, experts are carrying out restoration and work on the newly discovered treasures.
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source: Noticias
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