Archaeologists Prove Size Doesn't Matter After Rare Discovery of Small 1,700-Year-Old Roman Statue of Hercules in Florence, Italy

Archaeologists are excited to reveal their fascinating discovery after excavations this past summer unearthed a small, ancient Roman statue depicting the Greek demigod, Hercules.

The unusually small version of Hercules was discovered in Montaione, a municipality in the province of Florence, Italy. After analysis of the small but monumental statue, which stands approximately 1.64 feet in height (50 centimeters), archaeologists confirmed that the marble statue dates back 1,700 years, proving size doesn’t matter when it comes to a rare find in the form of this statue of Hercules.

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As archaeologists unearthed the ancient but small statue of Hercules (Herakles in Greek mythology), the find consisted of three fragments, and the lack of the Greek demigod’s head. However, the statue did reveal Hercules holding a club, while draped in lion’s skin, both signifying symbols of his strength.

What piqued the curiosity and added to the excitement of the archaeologists was what lay at the feet of the Greek demigod: the head of a bull. That representation of Hercules’ capture of the Cretan bull, his seventh labor, makes the find a rare one indeed, as it’s an uncommon representation that is not normally found alongside the son of Zeus.

"It's a finding that excites us and makes us understand how archaeology always reserves new things for us: objects, information, and news. It is truly a discovery because the statuette is almost complete; it is three fitting pieces. It represents a Hercules, and there is the presence of a bull at his feet, and this is something not very frequent in representations of Hercules," said Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Florence, Antonella Ranaldi.

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As archaeologists and specialists continue to examine the statue, they have chosen to name the petite marble wonder, Hercules of Valdelsa, and are even more excited to share their discovery at the tourismA – Salone dell’Archeologia e Turismo Culturale, an archaeological and cultural tourism event opening in Florence today, February 21st and will run through the 23rd.

Have no fear, the ancient but small statue of Hercules will be placed on public display after restoring the piece to preserve it even further. It will first be displayed temporarily within the University of Florence and then permanently at the Civic Museum of Montaione after the exhibition.

The excavations in Montaione have been taking place since 2012, the long and ongoing work revealing a treasure trove of findings made by archaeologists from the Valdelsa Fiorentina Cultural Association and the University of Florence’s SAGAS Department, together with students from a summer school program, and foreign students from the Irlab Institute.

From ceramic artifacts to a thermal bath annex decorated in marble, along with other well-preserved structures, in addition to intricately designed floor and wall mosaics, the exciting discoveries have been endless, and the archaeology team is excited to add the small statue of Hercules of Valdelsa to the long list of incredible items unearthed in Montaione.

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