During work in Lake Bolsena, at the submerged archaeological site of Gran Carro, a terracotta female figure has been discovered. This find occurred as part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), which includes the development of an underwater path allowing visitors to explore the site in a unique way.
The discovery is considered exceptional and unique, shedding new light on little-known aspects of daily life during the early Iron Age (late 10th century B.C. – early 9th century B.C.) in the region of Southern Etruria.
The statuette, barely sketched and with subtle feminine features, was molded in poorly fired clay. A surprising detail is that it still bears the fingerprints of its creator, along with the impression of a fabric pattern under the chest, suggesting that the figure was “dressed” with some kind of garment.
It presents characteristics similar to those found in other archaeological contexts, where they are often associated with funerary goods. However, the discovery of this piece in a residential area within one of the structures under excavation indicates that it could have had a votive use, related to some kind of domestic ritual. Such rituals have been documented in later periods, suggesting a continuity of cultural practices.
The discovery was made by the personnel of the Underwater Archaeology Service, followed by the recovery and initial conservation treatment carried out by the underwater restorers of CSR Restauro Beni Culturali. The meticulous work of these experts has been crucial to preserving the piece in its original state and allowing for its detailed study.
The success of this operation is also due to the collaboration with law enforcement, particularly the diving team of the Guardia di Finanza Naval Station of Civitavecchia and the Carabinieri Subacquei of the Rome Unit, who provided essential assistance during the underwater work.
The archaeological site of Gran Carro di Bolsena is famous for the complex of Aiola, a partially explored monumental structure that remains a mystery to archaeologists. This pile of stones, without structural binders, presents a truncated conical shape with an elliptical base and conceals a mound of earth beneath its rocky surface.
Recently, it has been proposed that Aiola is closely linked to the presence of thermal springs, with temperatures between 30 and 40 degrees Celsius, suggesting that it is not the only structure of its kind in the lake.
The excavations have revealed materials from the early Iron Age, including wooden posts and ceramic fragments, especially on the southwestern side. These pieces of evidence indicate that Aiola was part of a pile-dwelling settlement from that era. Additionally, the discovery of a tuff column base and coins from the Constantinian era evidences its continuous use until late Roman times.
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