Italy is on the verge of unveiling an extraordinary archaeological discovery this month, and a retired garbage collector deserves recognition for his role in it. This revelation encompasses a collection of Etruscan and Roman statues that have been rescued from the mud in Tuscany, making it one of the most remarkable breakthroughs in decades.
After months of painstaking restoration work, more than 20 bronze statues, ranging from the third century BC to the first century AD, will be showcased at Rome's Quirinale Palace, starting on June 22.
When news of this discovery was made public in November, experts celebrated it as a breakthrough that could "rewrite history," and they hailed it as the largest collection of ancient bronze statues ever unearthed in Italy.
These statues were unearthed in the picturesque hilltop village of San Casciano dei Bagni in the years 2021 and 2022. This village, renowned for its thermal baths, had long captivated archaeologists who suspected the existence of ancient ruins. However, initial attempts to locate them had proved futile.
In 2019, excavation work began on a small piece of land near the village's public baths. After several weeks, only remnants of walls were discovered, as reported by Agnese Carletti, the mayor of San Casciano.
Stefano Petrini, a retired garbage collector and a local historian, had a moment of insight. He recalled having seen parts of ancient Roman columns on the opposite side of the public baths, situated on the property that had previously belonged to his late friend, the village greengrocer.
Archaeologists were summoned to the site, and they soon realized that they had stumbled upon the ideal location.
Before receiving the tip that led to this discovery, Emanuele Mariotti, who led the San Casciano archaeological project, mentioned that his team had been "quite desperate."
The statues found at this site, along with coins and sculptures of body parts like feet and ears, were offerings made to the gods by Romans and Etruscans, who prayed for good health.
One of the most remarkable discoveries was a bronze statue of a "scrawny boy," a young Roman who stood about 90 cm (35 inches) tall and appeared to suffer from a bone ailment. An inscription identified him as "Marcius Grabillo."
Ada Salvi, an archaeologist responsible for the Culture Ministry's oversight of the Tuscan provinces of Siena, Grosseto, and Arezzo, described the moment when this figure emerged from the mud, partly hidden and resembling a bronze athlete. However, after thorough cleaning and closer examination, it became clear that the sculpture depicted an individual afflicted by illness.
Other unusual offerings were uncovered at the site, including eggshells, pine cones, peach and plum pits, medical instruments, and a 2,000-year-old lock of curly hair. These findings shed light on how the Romans and Etruscans engaged with their spirituality, religion, and health.
The shrine was sealed when the ancient spa complex was abandoned in the early fifth century AD, preserving the statues and other artifacts for centuries in the warm mud of the baths.
Excavations are set to resume in late June, with the anticipation of discovering more sculptures, possibly six or twelve, as inscribed records suggest that Marcius Grabillo left them behind. Mariotti expressed certainty that more discoveries await in the years to come, stating that they have only scratched the surface.
While a museum is planned to open in San Casciano in the next few years to house the statues and artifacts, Petrini believes this discovery will bring "jobs, culture, and knowledge" to his 1,500-person community. Like many rural areas in Italy, San Casciano has been grappling with depopulation.
However, Petrini emphasizes that significant discoveries are the result of collective efforts and should never be solely attributed to one individual.