An Iron Age statue has been found at the bottom of a lake in Italy, a bizarre occurrence. It was found during ongoing work at the underwater archaeological site of Gran Carro di Bolsena in Aiola, Italy. The unfinished statue, dated between the 10th and 9th centuries BC, looks more like a rough draft than a finished work of art. However, its unfinished state still offers insight into Iron Age life in Italy.

According to a translated statement by Italy’s Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscapes, the clay statue is so fresh that it still bears the “fingerprints” of its creator. It is very likely that the statue was covered with some kind of cloth years ago as there is an imprint of a piece of cloth under its chest.

According to experts, such statues were usually placed in the same place where the remains of the dead were kept. However, the place where the divers found this statue was once a residential area. The Italian cultural property restoration team, along with government divers, ensured that the statue was safely taken out of the water.

Thanks to underwater excavations, the volcanically rich area of ​​Gran Carro di Bolsena, known for its complex history, has begun to reveal its secrets. The historical importance of the site came to light in 1991 when researchers linked the shapeless stones at Eola to the presence of hot thermal springs. Further investigations have found wooden poles and ceramic fragments on the southwest side of the lake, dating back to the early Iron Age.

Meanwhile, in December last year, archaeologists excavating the side of Rome’s Palantine Hill found a luxurious banqueting hall dating from around the first or second century BC that contained a large, intact and brightly coloured wall mosaic.

Archaeologists have found a luxurious residence built in three phases between the late 2nd century and the late 1st century BC in the area between Rome’s Palatine Hill and the Roman Forum. Estimated to be around 2,300 years old, this banquet hall frozen in time 2,300 years ago is part of a larger aristocratic mansion located near the Roman Forum, which has been under excavation since 2018.

Get the latest news live on Times Now, along with travel news, breaking news and top headlines from around the world.