Ancient Roman Statue Unearthed in UK Parking Lot

Construction workers building a parking lot in the United Kingdom recently discovered a Roman statue that dates back almost 2,000 years.

Last year, while renovating the 16th century country estate Burghley House in Peterborough, England, digger driver Greg Crawley unearthed the marble head of a Roman lady.

Two weeks later, another bust was discovered near the original find. A conservator cleaned, examined, and reassembled the relics. The conservator dated the sculpture to either the 1st or 2nd century.

Ancient lord’s tomb was discovered with a treasure trove of gold and numerous sacrificial bodies inside.

Experts observed that a statue in the tomb had an iron dowel added to it, enabling it to be connected to a bust or pedestal. This modification was a common practice by Italian dealers in antiquities in the late 18th century, especially when selling items to aristocrats visiting Italy.

Greg Crawley found the ancient statue head while building a parking lot.

Greg Crawley found the ancient statue head while building a parking lot.

Burghley House

The house stated that during one of the ninth Earl's two trips to Italy in the 1760s, he bought numerous antiquities, including the sculpture which was later brought back to Burghley.

Brownlow Cecil, the ninth Earl of Exeter, became the title holder in 1754. He was known for his love of traveling and collecting fine art, as stated by the estate.

The estate is baffled by the discovery of the head and bust buried in the car park, describing it as a "total mystery."

Burghley House noted that “explanations rang[e] from a bungled burglary to someone simply discarding the statue and it later being covered by soil.”

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Digger driver Crawley expressed his excitement, describing the find as "amazing" and "special." He referred to it as his "best ever discovery."

Crawley shared in the Burghley House statement that he was surprised when the digger bucket uncovered a face instead of a big stone.

He was amazed to learn that the face turned out to be a Roman marble statue.

The statue will now be displayed alongside other statues collected by the ninth earl at Burghley House.

Editor's P/S:

The discovery of the Roman statue during construction work in the United Kingdom is a remarkable find that sheds light on the rich history of the region. The statue, dating back almost 2,000 years, is a testament to the artistic prowess and cultural heritage of the Roman Empire. The estate's bafflement about the discovery buried in the car park adds an intriguing element of mystery to the find, sparking speculation about its origins and how it came to be buried there.

The digger driver's excitement over the discovery highlights the significance of such finds and their ability to connect us with the past. The statue's resemblance to another bust found nearby suggests that they may have been part of a larger collection or display. The modification to the statue's base aligns with practices common in the 18th century, raising questions about its potential journey and how it ended up in the possession of the ninth Earl of Exeter. The statue's display at Burghley House provides an opportunity for the public to appreciate this historical artifact and gain insights into the lives and culture of the Romans who created it.