An exquisite white marble head, allegedly from the Augustan era, has been discovered in Rome, Italy. Mayor Roberto Gualtieri used social media to spread the word about the old treasure, which is currently being restored. “#Roma continues to return precious evidence of its past: a splendid intact marble head was found during the works in Piazza Augusto Imperatore attended by the @Sovrintendenza,” tweeted Gualtieri while posting a picture of the mud-covered head.
The head is carved in Greek marble
Due to its natural size, scholars believe the marble piece is part of a statue of a female divinity, possibly Aphrodite. The head is carved in Greek marble and is beautifully crafted. The marble head’s hair appears to be gathered at the back thanks to a “taenia,” a ribbon knotted on the top of the head. The marble head was discovered during the redevelopment work of the “Mausoleum of Augustus and Piazza Augusto Imperatore” on the eastern side, according to the Sovrintendenza Capitolina (Capitoline Superintendence), which is responsible for managing, maintaining, and enhancing the capital’s historic and archaeological heritage.
The Mausoleum of Augustus is a monument built by Roman Emperor Augustus after his victory at the Battle of Actium in 28 BC. The structure has a circular layout and is 90 meters in circumference by 42 meters in height. It was originally topped by a conical roof with a massive bronze statue of Augustus. “The find was found in the foundation of a late antique wall but is preserved intact; reused as building material it lay face down, protected by a clay bank on which the foundation of the wall rests,” read a statement released.
Sculpture reuse is a historical tradition
The workers discovered the head resting face down, protected by a clay bank that serves as the base of the wall. Notably, reusing sculptures, even those of high value, was a widespread practice in the late Middle Ages, allowing for “the successful preservation of important works of art” in this circumstance. “The head is currently entrusted to restorers for cleaning, and to archaeologists for correct identification and an initial dating proposal, which appears to be anchored in the Augustan era,” concluded the Superintendent.
