In the calm volcanic waters of Lake Bolsena in central Italy, a team of archaeologists has made a rare discovery—a clay statue from the early Iron Age, still marked by the fingerprints of the person who shaped it over three millennia ago.
The small figurine, resembling a female form and estimated to date from the 10th to 9th century BCE, was found near the submerged archaeological site of Gran Carro di Bolsena, close to the village of Aiola. While clearly unfinished, the object has retained remarkable physical detail, including the subtle impressions left by the artisan’s hands and traces of woven fabric once pressed against its surface.
A Glimpse Into Daily Rituals, Not Just Burials
Most figurines of this kind are associated with funerary contexts. But in this case, the artifact was discovered in what appears to have been a residential zone of an ancient settlement. This suggests a broader cultural significance, possibly linked to household rituals or personal beliefs, rather than public or ceremonial burials.
Experts from Italy’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage believe the statue may have served a domestic spiritual function, rather than being created for formal religious ceremonies. The presence of textile imprints further supports the theory that the figurine was once “dressed,” hinting at symbolic practices long lost to time.
A Site Shaped by Heat, Water, and Time
Gran Carro di Bolsena is located in a geologically active zone, rich in underwater thermal springs that emit gas and reach temperatures of up to 40°C. These natural conditions have contributed to the remarkable preservation of wooden poles, ceramic shards, and other organic materials, including the newly discovered figurine.
The site first drew archaeological interest in 1991, when divers noticed submerged stone piles and artifacts scattered across the lakebed. In 2020, excavations revealed a large mound beneath one of the stone formations, likely part of a stilt-house village dating to the Iron Age. Later findings, such as Roman-era coins and pottery, indicate continuous human presence in the area until at least the fourth century CE.
Beyond its archaeological value, the discovery holds something even more striking—a literal human touch. The fingerprints embedded in the clay offer an intimate connection to an individual who lived and worked thousands of years ago before written records existed in the region.
Preserved by chance, this small, unfinished statue provides a tangible reminder of ancient lives lived with intention, craft, and belief—now resurfacing after centuries underwater.
