In 1972, a diver off Italy noticed a human arm rising from the sand, which uncovered ancient Greek warriors lost beneath the sea for centuries

For ages, the Italian southern coast has remained home to numerous remnants of ancient trade links, shipwrecks, and other interesting stories lost at the bottom of the Mediterranean. Countless artifacts were resting underwater for millennia, covered with sand. Few could have thought that among the many finds discovered underwater, one would turn out to be one of the most important findings of the 20th century.

In August of 1972, a diver exploring the sea floor near the town of Riace Marina, in Calabria, came across a strange figure appearing like a human arm rising from below the sand. At first sight, it was an eerie object, yet it would soon turn out to be much older than anything one could have expected.

A surprising discovery

Noticing the object, the diver reported his finding to authorities and archeologists. As the investigation proceeded, it became clear that what the diver found was not human remains nor any other contemporary items lying at the bottom of the sea. It is now clear that the artifact discovered by the diver was only a fragment of the largest ever bronze statues discovered underwater. In today’s day and age, they are referred to as the Riace Bronzes.


Archaeological studies by the Louisiana State University have indicated that the figures were discovered near the site of a shipwreck of the ancient era off the coast of Calabria, where they had stayed underwater for several centuries.

Why the discovery shocked archaeologists

The ancient Greek sculptures are well-renowned across the world; however, original bronze sculptures are few and far between. Most of the sculptures of the time had been melted away and recycled as weapons, currency, or any number of other uses by people throughout the years, so historians often have to refer to Roman copies in marble to comprehend Greek artistry. This pair stood out.

Both standing over six feet tall, the figures were mostly intact, preserving details of Greek sculpture that had long since vanished from most other ancient bronzes, such as the musculature, face, and craftsmanship. As such, the sculptures were instantly recognized as a major archaeological find.

Riace Bronzes on view in the Museo Nazionale Di Reggio Calabria

However, the sea not only helped to preserve but also harmed the figures.

While the sea did help to preserve the Riace Bronzes, it also posed a significant problem for the sculptures. These compounds can cause further corrosion processes, which can be defined as "bronze disease" – an ongoing destructive process that continues after the removal from the seabed.

Conservators of the Getty Conservation Institute had their work cut out for them once they recovered the Riace Bronzes. In addition to stabilizing the statues, they were supposed to preserve as much of the original material as possible. Years of painstaking work were required. The main objective was not to create aesthetically pleasing statues but to gain more insight into how they were created by the ancient Greeks.

What scientists learned from inside the statues

The conservation procedure quickly turned into a scientific one. As stated in a study published by the Getty Trust, experts managed to inspect the interior of the statues remotely and extract samples for analysis. Through these inspections, the researchers gained important information on the creation of the warriors.

They used various scientific methods, such as X-ray fluorescence, and lead isotope analysis and others. Rather than just being pieces of art, the statues turned out to be evidence of how ancient Greeks manufactured bronze sculptures.

Clues suggesting an origin in ancient Greece

One of the most valuable clues was found in the materials that were used in the manufacturing process. Isotopic analysis showed that the bronze contained lead from the Greek regions. Although there is some controversy in this field, it is clear that the evidence provides solid proof of the Greek origin of the artifacts.

This information is important since it enables researchers to learn more about the place of manufacturing and the technology used to create these statues. In this case, scientists have a unique chance to examine Greek bronze craftsmanship instead of studying imitations made by other peoples.

Why this discovery is still relevant

More than half a century after being unearthed, the statues still occupy a prominent place in archaeology. There are few finds that unite accidental discovery, careful research, and the ability to preserve ancient treasures. It all started with the diver's quick glance of a possible man's arm. However, the true value of the statues became evident much later.