Bronzi di Riace: 54 years since the discovery of ancient Greek statues

Bronzi di Riace Greek bronze statues archaeological discovery Riace Marina ancient Greek art

On August 16, 1972, the celebrated discovery of the Bronzi di Riace occurred in Riace Marina, along the Ionian coast of Calabria. The find was made by Roman diver Stefano Mariottini, who spotted a metallic figure at a depth of approximately eight meters, about 200 meters from the shore.

The two ancient Greek bronze statues, dating back to the 5th century BC, represent warriors and are considered masterpieces of classical sculpture. Following the initial discovery, the Carabinieri Underwater Center managed the complex recovery operations. The first statue, Bronze B, was retrieved on August 21, 1972, followed by Bronze A the next day.

Technological analysis revealed that the statues were created using the lost-wax casting technique, allowing for intricate anatomical details. Despite over five decades of archaeological study, the exact identities of the warriors and the specific circumstances of their loss in the Mediterranean remain subjects of historical debate and mystery.