Ar­chae­o­log­i­cal sensation: Ancient bronze statues dis­cov­ered in Italy

During excavations in the Italian thermal town of San Casciano dei Bagni, 24 bronze statues from ancient times have been found. According to the experts, this is a sensation: "The discovery will make history," said the archaeologist in charge of the excavations, Jacopo Tabolli, on Tuesday. Italy's Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano spoke of a "treasure".The statues in the site in the Tuscany region were protected for two millennia by the mud and hot water of the thermal baths. Some of them are almost one metre high. They are said to date from the period between the 2nd century BC and the 1st century AD, which was marked by Etruscan and Roman influences. In addition to the statues, around 5000 coins in gold, silver and bronze were found.