A 3,000-year-old clay figurine has emerged from the depths of an ancient submerged village, bringing the secrets of an early civilization to light. Crafted by hands we can still trace today, this artifact opens a rare window into the rituals and beliefs of the mysterious Villanovan culture.
Found beneath the volcanic waters of Lake Bolsena, this discovery isn’t just history—it’s a direct link to life, faith, and power long before Rome’s rise.
The Significance of the Discovery
Archaeologists believe the figurine served as a votive object, crafted for the purpose of directing prayers and offerings to the deity it represents. The presence of fabric imprints suggests the figurine was once clothed, possibly as part of a domestic ritual.
This exceptional discovery sheds light on the spiritual practices and daily life of the Villanovan culture, an early stage of the Etruscan civilization that preceded the founding of Rome.
The Villanovan culture flourished in central Italy from 1000 to 750 BCE, and is known for its distinctive pottery, metalwork, and funerary practices. The discovery of this figurine in a residential context, along with similar finds in Iron Age graves, indicates that such rituals were deeply ingrained in the society’s fabric, and the veneration of female deities played a significant role in their spiritual beliefs.
Uncovering the Mysteries of Lake Bolsena
Lake Bolsena, formed between 600,000 and 200,000 years ago during eruptions of the Vulsini volcano, has long been a site of archaeological intrigue. The Gran Carro site, thought to be the remains of an Iron Age village that later sank underwater, has yielded thousands of artifacts since the 1960s, including pieces of wood, household objects, jewelry, and pottery.
One of the most enigmatic features of the site is the Aiola, a large pile of submerged stones believed to have been built beside a geothermal spring. Recent discoveries in the nearby San Casciano dei Bagni region suggest that such hot springs were sacred to the later Etruscans and Romans, adding to the historical significance of the Gran Carro site.
The lake itself has a rich history, with Roman records indicating volcanic activity as recently as 104 BC. The two islands in the southern part of the lake, Bisentina and Martana, were formed by underwater eruptions following the collapse that created the lake’s depression.
These islands have their own fascinating stories, with Bisentina housing various monuments and the Malta dei Papi, a former prison for ecclesiastics, and Martana being the reputed site of Queen Amalasuntha’s assassination during the Gothic period.
Preserving & Sharing the Past
As part of Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Gran Carro site is being developed to include an underwater path for visitors, allowing them to explore this fascinating piece of history firsthand.
The meticulous work of underwater archaeologists and restorers has been crucial in preserving this exceptional find in its original state, allowing for detailed study and analysis. The collaboration with law enforcement, particularly the diving teams of the Guardia di Finanza and the Carabinieri Subacquei, has also been essential in ensuring the success of the underwater operations.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
