Under our feet could be a fabulous treasure. Or perhaps, under a hot spring. Italian archaeologists found something there. It was under the waters of a hot spring in the town of San Casciano dei Bagni (Tuscany). The underwater treasure in Italy contains a unique collection.
There are more than twenty bronze statues. There are also coins dating from the period between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD. This was reported by the Italian Ministry of Culture. The excavations were carried out on the site of a Roman-Etruscan sanctuary.
Unparalleled find
It is the largest “treasure trove of bronze statues from the Etruscan and Roman periods ever found in Italy. And one of the most remarkable in the entire Mediterranean region. It is an unparalleled find. The period in question was known mainly for terracotta statues”. This is what is read in the statement of the Ministry.
It was not only the bronze statues in perfect condition. In the shrine were found 5,000 gold, silver and bronze coins. Some cult objects were included. Experts say that this finding “will allow to rewrite the history of the Roman-Etruscan sculpture”. They compare it to the discovery of the Riace Warriors. They are two Greek bronzes found in the sea by chance in 1972.
“The San Casciano bronzes represent the deities that were worshipped in that sanctuary. Also parts and organs of the human body. Medicinal help was requested from the deity with the use of thermal waters.” The experts were referring to the statues of Apollo and the goddess of health Hygieia.
Land of treasures
Thanks to the warm waters of the fountain the inscriptions were very well preserved. They are in Latin and Etruscan and chiseled in metal.
The researchers were congratulated in person by Italy’s Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano. He pointed out details of the underwater treasure in Italy. “This exceptional find reconfirms that Italy is a country of colossal and unique treasures. It will contribute to the enhancement of territories that until now were less known to international tourism.”
