Bronze Statues, Coins, and Ancient Treasures Unearthed at Tuscany’s Thermal Sanctuary!
In the heart of Tuscany, at the Bagno Grande sanctuary in San Casciano dei Bagni, archaeologists have made a fascinating discovery that sheds light on the rich Etruscan-Roman history of this ancient thermal site. Known for its therapeutic hot springs, the area was once a thriving sanctuary and spa, attracting visitors from across the Roman Empire, including the likes of Caesar Augustus.
Photo Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture
A Sanctuary Through the Ages
Dating back to the 3rd century BCE, the Bagno Grande sanctuary began as an Etruscan sacred site. It was later expanded by the Romans into Balnea Clusinae, a grand spa complex famed for its healing waters. Excavations carried out between June and October 2024 have focused on the sacred temenos—a walled enclosure around the sanctuary—and revealed the remains of a central temple built around a thermal water basin.
Within this sacred space, the archaeologists unearthed a wealth of votive offerings and artefacts preserved by the thermal waters and clay, providing a snapshot of ancient life, faith, and health practices.
Photo Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture
Spectacular Artefacts: A Glimpse into the Past
Among the most stunning finds are four bronze statues, votive limbs, and heads inscribed with dedications. A particularly intriguing discovery is a bronze torso dedicated by a man named Gaius Roscius to the “Hot Spring,” thought to symbolise the healing of specific ailments. Another notable statue depicts a child holding a pentagonal ball, suggesting links to augury or divination rituals.
The inscriptions—written in both Etruscan and Latin—include dedications to the Nymphs and the thermal spring (called Flere Havens in Etruscan), as well as oaths to Fortuna and the Genius of the Emperor. These artefacts illuminate the blend of religious and cultural practices at the site.
Photo Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture
Treasures from the Sacred Basin
The sanctuary’s thermal basin has proven to be a treasure trove, yielding over 10,000 coins spanning the Roman Republic to the Empire. Other significant finds include oil lamps, glass jars, painted terracotta votives shaped like human body parts, and luxury items such as a gold crown, a ring, and fragments of amber and gemstones.
A particularly curious discovery was a collection of preserved eggs, some with intact yolks, which likely symbolised rebirth and regeneration—an apt offering for a place revered for its rejuvenating waters.
Decorative elements also emphasised the link between the thermal springs and nature. Bronze serpents, one nearly a metre long and believed to represent the Agathodaimon (a protective spirit), as well as pinecones and branches, were among the items recovered.
Photo Credit: Italian Ministry of Culture
Preserving History
Efforts are already underway to ensure these extraordinary finds are preserved and accessible to the public. A National Archaeological Museum is being established in San Casciano dei Bagni’s Archpriest’s Palace to display the artefacts, while plans are in place to create a thermal archaeological park around Bagno Grande. These initiatives aim to celebrate the site’s historical significance and promote cultural tourism in the region.
The discoveries at San Casciano dei Bagni not only offer a glimpse into the spiritual and healing practices of the ancient world but also reaffirm the enduring allure of Tuscany’s thermal waters—a legacy that continues to captivate us today.