Italy: Ancient 3000-year-old clay figurine discovered underwater with fresh finger prints

Underwater discoveries have long captivated the imaginations of adventurers, historians, and scientists alike. Ancient shipwrecks and sunken cities to lost artefacts and hidden caverns, the depths of the world's oceans and lakes hold a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be uncovered. And for curious travellers, diving offers them a unique opportunity to explore the mysteries of the past and witness the untouched beauty of underwater landscapes.

Now, another discovery is making rounds and that is a clay figurine that has remained incomplete for millennia, lying at the bottom of a lake, awaiting its Iron Age craftsman to finish it. Reports add that recently, researchers working at the underwater archaeological site of Gran Carro di Bolsena in Aiola, Italy, unearthed the rudimentary clay creation from the depths of volcanic Lake Bolsena. This unfinished statuette, dating back to between the 10th and 9th centuries BC, appears more like a rough draft than a finished work of art. Yet, its incomplete state still provides valuable insights into Iron Age life in Italy.

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Reportedly, the palm-sized, feminine-looking figurine is remarkably fresh, with the “marks of the fingerprints” of its maker still visible, according to a translated statement from the Superintendency of Archaeology, Fine Arts, and Landscape, part of Italy's Ministry of Cultural Heritage. Additionally, the imprint of a fabric pattern on the chest suggests that the figurine was likely ‘dressed’ at some point.

While the figurine is reminiscent of those typically found in funerary contexts, it was discovered in what was once a residential area. This raises intriguing possibilities about its purpose, which could range from a domestic artifact to an object used in ritual practices within a residential setting.

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The discovery of the figurine is credited to the Underwater Archaeology Service team, with the preservation and recovery efforts carried out by the Italian Cultural Property Restoration team in collaboration with government divers. The volcanic-rich area of Gran Carro di Bolsena, known for its complex history, has begun to reveal its secrets thanks to these underwater excavations.

The historical significance of Gran Carro di Bolsena was only recognised in 1991 when researchers linked the shapeless stones at Aiola to the presence of hot thermal springs. Further investigations revealed wooden poles and ceramic fragments on the lake's southwest side, dating back to the early Iron Age. The discovery of similar rock formations in the lake, which feature gas-emitting springs with temperatures up to 40°C, suggests a rich and dynamic environment.

In 2020, experts uncovered a mound of earth beneath these stones, revealing that Aiola was an active settlement during the stilt-house period. Additional finds, including coins and pottery from the Constantinian era, indicate that the site remained inhabited well into the late Roman Empire.