Ancient statue discovered in Bay of Naples

Italian archaeologists on Thursday said they have recovered an ancient Roman marble statue spotted by a diver in an imperial palace that is now under water in the Bay of Naples.

The sculpture, which depicts a female figure smaller than a life-size, was found off the
coast of the town of Baia in what is already an underwater
archaeological park [Credit: ANSA]

"The discovery is significant and quite important for us because of the quality of the marble and the excellent workmanship of the sculpture," said Paolo Caputo, a local heritage official.

The statue is of a woman and was discovered in October just off the shore near the town of Baia in what is already an underwater archaeological park. The figure is headless and without arms.

"We do not yet know whether it is a divinity or a member of the imperial family," Caputo said.

The area around Baia was a thermal resort that was popular in Roman times and has several villas.

One of them was confiscated by the Emperor Nero (37-68 AD) and turned into a summer residence and it was there that the statue was found

Source: AFP [November 07, 2013]