Trove of ‘Exceptional’ Roman Bronzes Have Been Discovered at an Ancient Thermal Spa in Tuscany :
More than 20 remarkably well-preserved ancient Roman bronzes have been discovered in Tuscany, in what Italy’s new culture minister, Gennaro Sangiuliano, has called “an extraordinary find, which confirms once again that Italy is home to vast and unique treasures”.
The multitude includes 24 large statues, some statues, and some 5,000 bronze, silver, and gold coins. All the objects date back to the 2nd century BC. By the 1st century AD—an area characterized by conflict and cultural change as it moved from Etruscan to Roman rule.
Archaeologists unearthed the objects during excavations in San Casciano dei Bagni, a hill town in the province of Siena, famous for its ancient thermal baths. What makes this find particularly spectacular is the remarkable condition of the vestiges, which were defended by soil. It’s also worth noting that this area was before known only for terracotta puppets.
The awards, which include delineations of Greco- Roman divinities similar as Hygia and Apollo, were likely decorations for an ancient bathhouse and may have been thrown into thermal waters as part of a ritual, according to Reuters.
“You give water because you hope that the water gives back to you,” suggests Jacopo Tabolli, a professor at the University for Foreigners in Siena, who coordinated the dig.
Also found were sculptures of limbs and other bodily parts that probably represented some illness for which visitors to the baths sought treatment.
The director general of Italy’s museums, Massimo Osanna, said “this is certainly one of the most important finds of bronze in the history of the ancient Mediterranean” and compared it with the life-size Rias bronze being retrieved from the sea in 1972.
The excavations, which began in 2019, were supported by the Ministry of Culture, Tuscany and the Municipality of Tabolli. The amazing discovery was the result of interdisciplinary efforts by archaeologists, geologists, archaeologists and experts in epigraphy and numismatics.
The workshop, which are presently being restored, are due to go on public display in a new gallery in San Cassiano. A new archaeological demesne is also about to open in the city.
