World
Unexpected Discovery in Ancient Roman Sewer
Explore the fascinating account of an unexpected discovery made in an ancient Roman sewer, unveiling secrets of the past and shedding light on the rich history of the era.
Archaeologists in Bulgaria were met with a remarkable find in an ancient Roman sewer recently – a remarkably preserved marble statue that stands taller than a man. The scientific director of the excavation, Lyudmil Vagalinski, described the moment of discovery as astonishing. “We found it by accident,” he stated. “It was amazing. A whole statue appeared in front of us.”
The statue’s unveiling may provide insights into the challenges faced by the local populace in modern-day Bulgaria as Christianity began to spread throughout the ancient world. The sewer where the statue was found might have served as a refuge utilized by pagans striving to safeguard the striking statue from the actions of zealous Christians who were known to deface pagan deities. Remarkably, the researchers have not encountered any indications of deliberate damage on the face and head of the statue.
Dr. Vagalinski expressed his awe at the statue’s survival, deeming it a miracle. The excavation team was conducting routine work near the village of Rupite, situated close to Bulgaria’s southwestern border with Greece, enduring the scorching summer heat when they noticed marble fragments in the soil. Initially uncovering a marble foot, they gradually revealed intricate carvings on the toenails, followed by the emergence of legs, torso, and eventually, a head.