Extraordinary discovery at an ancient bath site: "The body was so warm, it seemed alive"

In the small Tuscan town of San Casciano dei Bagni, near Siena, a remarkable archaeological discovery has been made. This town, located on the southern edge of the Val d’Orcia valley, is known for its baths. Archaeologists have unearthed a 6.6-foot marble statue of Apollo at the excavation site immersed in water, reported by ANSA. As per the researchers, this statue is a replication of a sculpture by the Greek sculptor Praxiteles from Athens.

"The excavations in San Casciano dei Bagni never cease to amaze," shared Luigi La Rocca from the Italian Ministry of Culture's archaeology department. Previously, there were 24 bronze figurines found at the bath site, dating back to the Etruscan era. These figurines are estimated to be 2300 years old.

Monumental find

The marble sculpture discovered by Professor Jacopo Tabolli's team from the University for Foreigners in Siena is not the only find. Accompanying the marble statue, a unique bilingual stone plaque, a small altar, and numerous small items consisting of bronze, terracotta, and crystal were found.

The Apollo statue is unfortunately fragmented, with parts including arms and parts of the head yet to be found.

"This statue was deliberately shattered and then tossed into the pool when the site was permanently closed in the 5th century AD," excavation leader archaeologist Emanuele Mariotti informed ANSA. The discovery occurred at a location where water flows at a rate of about 8 gallons per second. "The statue's legs were concealed under a column. The feeling was surreal when we found them. We discovered the bust and a small altar behind the legs while diving.

"The marble body in our arms was so warm... it almost felt alive," Professor Jacopo Tabolli remarked on the fervor and passion that arose during the discovery process.

Recently, the search area was extended with the hopes of further discoveries. Before, it was limited to where remnants of a building erected over a stream were situated. The new area revealed a temple with a four-columned portico and a podium adorned with statues. According to archaeologists, one of these statues is the newly discovered Apollo.

The latest findings suggest that the hot stream's water carried a sacred value for the Romans, hence the construction of a temple close to it, continuing the previous Etruscan place of worship tradition. The recent discovery is a "masterpiece of architecture and hydraulic engineering," according to archaeologists studying the ancient baths.