Italian archaeologists made a remarkable discovery while exploring the depths of Lake Bolsena, uncovering a small clay figurine that dates back over 3,000 years. The find occurred near the site of the prehistoric settlement Gran Carro, where divers from Italy's Office of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape were conducting underwater research.
Marco Rossi, the leader of the diving team, described the moment they found the figurine: "It was an incredible moment. When we saw the figurine, it was immediately clear to us that this was an exceptional find. Its preservation after so many centuries underwater is astonishing." The palm-sized figure depicts a female form and originates from the Iron Age, specifically between the 10th and 9th centuries BCE, a time when the first Italian city-states were emerging.
What makes this discovery particularly unique are the fingerprints left by its ancient creator, which are still visible on the surface of the figurine. Lucia Bianchi, head of the restoration team, noted, "It’s as if we momentarily touched the hand of a person who lived thousands of years ago." Further examination revealed that the figurine was never completed, providing rare insight into ancient production techniques.
Bianchi explained, "We can see clear signs that the figurine was at one point 'dressed' in fabric. There is an imprint of cloth beneath the chest, suggesting it may have had a ritualistic function, possibly as a household deity or protective talisman." This finding offers a unique glimpse into the lives of early Italian cultures and raises new questions about their ritual practices.
The location of the discovery also surprised experts. Antonio Mazzini, an archaeologist, remarked, "Typically, we would expect to find such an object at a burial site. However, it was found in an area that once constituted the residential part of the settlement. This opens intriguing questions about its purpose and use." He speculated that it could have been a domestic altar or an object used in daily rituals, indicating that religious practices were closely intertwined with the everyday lives of people at that time.
This clay figurine is part of a broader archaeological investigation of the Gran Carro site near Lake Bolsena, which has long remained unknown. "Until 1991, we were practically unaware of this site’s existence. It was only then that we discovered that the seemingly shapeless piles of stones on the lake's bottom were actually remnants of prehistoric habitation," the archaeologists stated.
Since then, they have been gradually uncovering the fascinating history of this location, though progress is slow as much of it remains submerged. Rossi explained, "We have found wooden post remnants and ceramic fragments dated to the early Iron Age here."
Archaeologists have long wondered what led prehistoric inhabitants to settle in this area. Geology provides the answer. Geologist Marco Bianchi explained, "We know that Gran Carro is located near hot thermal springs. These springs, reaching temperatures of up to 40 °C, were immensely valuable to the inhabitants of that time, providing a source of heat, a means of cleansing, and likely also medicinal uses."