Among the 24 bronze statues of very refined workmanship, there is an enchanting ephebe lying on the bottom of the large Roman basin, Hygieia, the goddess of health who was the daughter or wife of Asclepius, a snake coiled on her arm. A little farther on, still partially submerged by water, you can see Apollo and then again divinities, matrons, children, emperors. Protected for 2300 years from the mud and boiling water of the sacred tanks, 24 bronze statues, five of which almost a meter high, all intact and in perfect condition, have re-emerged in these days from the excavations of San Casciano dei Bagni, in Tuscany. conservation.
The project started in 2019
see also
Riace Bronzes: Rain in Reggio Calabria museum, two wonders
“A discovery that will rewrite history and on which over 60 experts from all over the world are already at work”, the archaeologist Jacopo Tabolli, a young professor at the University for Foreigners of Siena, who has been leading the project with the grant of the Ministry of Culture and the financial support of the small municipality.
The visit of the mnistro Sangiuliano
deepening
Bronzi di Riace, 50 years ago the discovery along the Calabrian coast
An “absolutely unique” treasure, underlined Tabolli, which is accompanied by an incredible amount of inscriptions in Etruscan and Latin and to which are added thousands of coins as well as a series of equally interesting plant offerings. The Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano has already visited the restoration laboratory that has just welcomed the statues and is now applauding: “An exceptional find that confirms once more that Italy is a country made up of immense and unique treasures. The stratification of different civilizations is a unicum of Italian culture “.
