160 km north of Rome, archaeologists found 24 statues dating from the period of Ancient Rome. The group believes that there is potential in them to obtain new discoveries about such an era. The statues were found in ancient hermitages in San Casciano dei Bagni, a town in the Province of Siena. See parts details.
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“Ritualistic” Statues
These pieces consist of representations of Greco-Roman gods that were part of the culture in Rome, such as the case of Apollo and Hygieia, but what certainly called the most attention was that these statues were under spa. Surrounding it were approximately 6,000 bronze, silver, and gold coins.
According to researchers, this happens because most likely the citizens of that time performed rituals in search of luck and prosperity. Therefore, the most obvious assumption is that they threw coins into the water, as we still see being done in some “lucky” fountains around the world.
The very immersion of the statues in hot springs refers to a type of ritual. It's as if they were some kind of offering to the gods. The water was expected to bring back peace, prosperity and blessings. In any case, these historical objects will help the scientific community to develop new conclusions about the time.
A very important discovery
Finding these pieces was a very relevant discovery, points out the scholars present in the research. It is even believed to be the most significant bronze discovery since the Riace Bronzes, which are actually statues found in 1972 representing two ancient warriors.
This conclusion was reached because the novelty dates from a period little known by scholars, which is the transition from the Etruscan to the Roman domain of about 2100 years. It is, therefore, a moment of great transactions in society at the time, where the spa could serve as a place of spiritual refuge.