According to the Italians it is the most important Italian archaeological find since 1972. At that time in Riace, in southern Italy, two Greek bronze statues of warriors from the 5th century BC were found.
The Tuscan statues represent divinities such as Apollo and Hygieia. They were venerated in a sanctuary in San Casciano dei Bagni. It was founded by the Etruscans and then expanded under the Romans.
In addition to the statues, offerings and about five thousand gold, silver and bronze coins were found at the site.
Archaeologists speak of an unprecedented discovery of the time when the ancient Etruscan civilization was gradually absorbed by the Roman Empire. Until now, mainly terracotta images from that period were known.
According to the researchers, it is the largest collection of Etruscan and Roman bronzes ever discovered in Italy. They also consider it one of the most important collections in the entire Mediterranean region.
The thermal water has preserved the finds in such a way that inscriptions in Etruscan and Latin are still visible, including the names of powerful Etruscan families.
