Riace, Superintendence: improper and premature to attribute discovered finds to the context of bronzes

B bronze eye of Riace discovered? In Calabria and Riace, enthusiasm is sky-high, but as we wrote last night on our masthead, nothing can yet be said for certain, nor can it be established with certainty whether the artifact found in the Ionian Sea in front of Riace Marina is an eye or, for example, a stud. And this morning, to dampen enthusiasm, came a statement from the Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio for the metropolitan city of Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia, which is analyzing the find and makes it known that at the moment it is improper and premature to attribute what has been found to the context of the bronzes’ provenance.

The superintendency is very active in the field of underwater archaeological protection and constantly monitors the seabed under its jurisdiction thanks to the work of its Underwater Archaeology Officer. Especially during the summer months, it collects numerous reports from enthusiasts and professionals who dive in the Calabrian seas and notice the presence of artifacts or detect strange anomalies. And it is the task of the superintendency, in constant collaboration with the Carabinieri of the Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale of Cosenza and the Nucleo Subacquei of Messina, to find each of the reports received and to act accordingly with the most appropriate protection and conservation activities to safeguard contexts and finds of archaeological interest. One of these reports, the agency announced this morning, was received by Superintendent Fabrizio Sudano on August 2, 2023, through a report of accidental discovery of archaeological finds that occurred on the seabed in front of Riace. Thus, on the morning of August 3, 2023, an archaeological officer of the superintendency, supported by the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Cosenza, proceeded to recover the finds from the home of the discoverer, a total of 9 artifacts of archaeological interest, transferring them to the deposits of the Archaeological Museum of Medma - Rosarno where, subsequently, they were appraised by the archaeological officer responsible for the underwater sector. The Superintendence of Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia, reads a note, “takes note of the press conference held on Saturday, 21/10/2023 in Riace and informs that it is proceeding with the technical verifications, in-depth investigations of the case and the inspection necessary to answer questions and doubts about the provenance and context of discovery of the finds in question. In fact, in total agreement with the Carabinieri of the Nucleo Tutela Patrimonio Culturale of Cosenza and the Nucleo Subacquei of Messina, direct contacts have been made with a top university laboratory specializing in chemical-physical analysis of the material components of the finds and any alterations, and the institutional inspection on the seabed of Riace has been scheduled. The discoverer was also invited to participate in the latter in order to indicate the exact location of the find, in view of the fact that, in the record of the delivery of the finds, drawn up on August 3, the discoverer stated that he had found the first find at a distance of about 120-150 meters from the shoreline and the other artifacts at a distance of about 6-7 m from the first find, without any further indications of orientation. As a result of the discoverer’s unwillingness to participate in the inspection, the discoverer provided, on October 10, 2023, the coordinates of the discovery site, which he said he had acquired a few days later, as well as bathymetry.”

As a result, in the coming days will take place, on the coordinates provided by the discoverer, the institutional inspection conducted by the underwater archaeologist officer of the Superintendence of Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia with the technical operational support of the Carabinieri Underwater Nucleus of Messina and the attendance of the Carabinieri of the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit of Cosenza. “This activity,” the superintendency continues, “is aimed at the verification of the seabed with sampling of the marine sediments for the purpose of subsequent comparative analysis to try to clarify, as soon as possible, all the questions related to this discovery. Pending the outcome of the inspection, after which a new press release will be issued, it is considered improper and premature to attribute one or more of the finds discovered on August 1 to the context of origin of the Riace Bronzes. We take this opportunity to emphasize the importance, in case of accidental discovery, as provided by the Code of Cultural and Landscape Heritage (Art. 90 of Legislative Decree 42/2004), to leave movable and immovable things in the condition and place where they were found by giving a report within 24 hours. In the case of movable things for which custody cannot otherwise be ensured, the discoverer is entitled to remove them to better ensure their safety and the Ministry of Culture. Regarding cultural property from the marine environment, immediate notification of the discovery is urged for the purpose of promptly taking custody of the same for proper preservation.”

Riace, Superintendence: improper and premature to attribute discovered finds to the context of bronzes

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