Bronze Statues, Coins, and Ancient Eggs Found in Tuscan Thermal Baths

Bronze Statues, Coins, and Ancient Eggs Found in Tuscan Thermal Baths
The so-called bull statuette is displayed after it was discovered from the ruins of an ancient spa in San Casciano dei Bagni in southern Tuscany in Grosseto, Italy, on Sept. 25, 2024. (Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism/Handout via Reuters)
Reuters
Updated:

ROME—Ancient statues, coins, jewels, and still-intact eggs from Roman and Etruscan times have been recovered from thermal baths in southern Tuscany, Italy’s culture ministry said on Tuesday, presenting the latest discoveries at the site.

Archaeologists have been digging in San Casciano dei Bagni, a hilltop town about 100 miles north of Rome since 2019, and announced other remarkable finds over the past two years.

San Casciano had a shrine linked to hot water springs used for healing purposes as far back into the 3rd century B.C., the ministry said. Etruscans and Romans used to throw offerings in there, which are now being excavated.

The latest findings, located almost 16 feet below the ground, include male and female bronze sculptures, including of man cut in half lengthwise, thousands of coins, a gold crown and ring, precious stones, and other sculptures.

Thousands of egg shells were also found, as well as eggs that were intact or with small holes showing the yolk still inside, plus twigs decorated with plants and pine cones, as part of earthly donations to the sanctuary.

San Casciano’s artefacts are believed to have been preserved over centuries by the warm mud of the springs. They are due to be put on display in a new museum scheduled to open in the town in late 2026.