An 1800-year-old Roman statue found under an English car park

A recent archaeological discovery at Burghley House, a historic house near Stamford in Lincolnshire, England, highlights a fascinating aspect of Britain’s Roman heritage. In April 2023, during work to expand the car park, a Roman statue dating to the first or second century was discovered, highlighting the lasting imprint of ancient Rome on British soil.

Thanks to the skill and vigilance of excavator driver Greg Crawley and the expertise of the curators at Berkeley House, the discovery reveals not only the importance of cultural exchanges between the Roman Empire and the territories it occupied, but also British interest. 18th century aristocrats for antiques. Restoration and analysis of the statue was entrusted to experts associated with Berkeley House and the British Museum.

An unexpected Roman statue

In the spring of 2023, an excavator driver, Greg Crawley, unwittingly took part in a historic discovery at Berkeley House. It is a 16th-century Elizabethan residence famous for its grand architecture and lavish gardens. It has a rich collection of art and antiques. While digging into the ground to create a new car park to accommodate visitors to this historic Lincolnshire home, Greg Crawley was surprised to see an unusual shape emerging from the earth.

What he first thought was a stone turned out to be the marble head of a statue. The finely cut features and distinctive style quickly hint at its Roman origins. Experts date the object to the first or second century. During this time, the Roman Empire expanded its influence over the British Isles.

Greg Crawley and the statue. © Berkeley House

The discovery didn’t stop there. Two weeks after the discovery of the statue’s head, a new excavation was able to find the corresponding bust. It was a short distance from the first place. This made it possible to more accurately reconstruct the original appearance of the statue. Putting the two pieces together revealed the figure of a significant historical figure. It is probably a high-ranking personage or a revered deity. It bears witness to the cultural and artistic richness that characterized the Roman presence in Great Britain.

A Roman statue attached to the Grand Tour

A closer examination of the statue shed light on a particularly intriguing aspect of its centuries-long history. Experts noted the presence of an iron stud carefully inserted into the marble head. Added in the 18th century, this timeless feature instantly evokes the image of Italian antique dealers of yesteryear. They worked efficiently to meet the preferences of an aristocratic European clientele seeking beauty and authenticity. This detail reveals the general practice of the time. Antiques are often modified or added to enhance their aesthetic appeal or perceived value. The iron stud marks the statue as a desirable item for art collectors and antique enthusiasts. They participated in the rich trade in works of art that crossed Europe.

This change coincides with the historic period of the Grand Tour. The latter became a rite of passage for young European aristocrats. An educational and cultural heritage that took them through the great cities of Italy, the cradle of art and history of antiquity. The ninth Earl of Exeter may have admired this Romanesque statue during his visit to Italy in the 1760s. Perhaps he saw it as the perfect embodiment of the classical ideals he was trying to bring back to his English home. The addition of the iron cloth represents a cultural and educational tradition deeply rooted in the European consciousness of the time. This practice, although controversial today, reflects a fascination with antiquity.

Mystery surrounds burial associated with Roman statuary

How could a work of art of this importance be forgotten and buried beneath layers of earth? Hypotheses abound. One theory suggests interrupted theft. The thieves, perhaps distraught in the midst of their crime, hastily hid the statue. They reportedly intended to come back and pick her up later. Another explanation considers the possibility that the statue was sometimes considered less valuable or complex. It would have been deliberately buried or abandoned, and then forgotten for generations. These scenes offer a glimpse into the many lives the statue led before its rediscovery.

Beyond these assumptions, the mystery surrounding the statue’s burial heightens interest in its history and the history of Berkeley House. This artifact becomes a focal point for historians, archaeologists and history buffs. It encourages in-depth study of the archives and field. Historical objects can lose their original meaning and acquire new ones over time, reflecting changes in cultural values ​​and historical circumstances.

Statue on display. © Berkeley House

After their discovery, a professional conservator cleaned and restored the pieces of the statue. Her work revealed the delicate features of a Roman woman, and brought the two parts together as originally intended. This restoration not only preserved a valuable historical artifact, but also prepared it for exhibition. The statue is now on display at Berkeley House, with an explanation of its discovery and its fascinating history.

Source: Berkeley House