Archaeologists Unearthed Marble Statue of Water Nymph in Spain

During archaeological excavations at an ancient Roman bathhouse in Spain, archaeologists discovered a marble statue dating back approximately 1800 years, depicting a water nymph. This archaeological find was made at the site known as La Alcudia, situated near the city of Elche in the southeastern region of Spain, as reported by Newsweek.

The baths, which date back to the 2nd century AD, were part of the ancient city of Ilici, one of the most significant Roman cities in southeastern Spain. Archaeological enthusiasts highlight that the baths boast one of the largest preserved Roman pools in Spain. Additionally, the bathhouse floors are adorned with rich mosaics that are currently undergoing restoration. However, the statue was found in an intriguing and unusual location - among the remains of a landfill from a later phase after the baths' destruction.

"This Roman city was founded in the second half of the 1st century BC by Emperor Augustus. We know little about the urban planning and buildings of this Roman city, but we do know that there were at least two public baths," said archaeologist Jaime Molina Vidal.

The sculpture represents a pristine and high-quality marble work. As for the depicted deity, it may not be immediately apparent. The statue features a naked woman, potentially associated with the goddess Venus, but she also holds a horn of plenty in her left hand, adding an intriguing and enigmatic aspect to this discovery for researchers.

"The figure was not in its original place. The sculpture belongs to the initial phase of the baths when they were built, at the beginning of the 2nd century AD. However, it ended up in a waste dump from a later phase, after the baths' destruction," Molina noted.

Despite its less suitable environment, it soon became evident that the statue held significant religious importance. "The sculpture was quite clean, and it was made of high-quality marble. It was part of a religious complex related to the cult of water, which was located in the same thermal complex," the archaeologist pointed out.

This statue is just one of several important finds at the site and the second similar figurine discovered here since 2017. The first figurine was made of bone and portrayed a naked woman draped with a cloak. Scientists emphasize that 90% of this site is yet to be explored.