Rare artifacts uncovered in Roman baths dig
Wed Dec 10, 2008 11:53pm IST
By Deepa Babington
ROME (Reuters Life!) - Excavations at an ancient Roman villa and bath complex in the outskirts of Rome have unearthed a wealth of surprisingly well-preserved artifacts, including the marble head of a Greek god, archaeologists said on Wednesday.
"It's very unusual to find such well-preserved remains in Rome because most of the sites have usually been plundered already and the artifacts stolen," Dora Cirone, an archaeologist on the dig, said at a news conference to announce the findings.
"Luckily, much of the remains here were found buried below floor level, and no one had laid their hands on it."
Of note:
- The site is Villa delle Vignacce, near Ciampino airport southwest of Rome;
- First explored by archaeologists in 1780 who found statues that are now in the Vatican museum;
- excavations began two years ago, revealing residence attached to thermal bath complex dating to 1st century A.D.;
- archaeologists said they had also uncovered artifacts including: fragments of columns, floor slabs and the head of a marble statue believed to represent either the Greek divinity of Zeus Serapide or Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing;
- Discovery of special importance is colored-glass mosaic of leaves and vegetation lining the inside of a vault.
