Bulgarian archaeologists find marble god in ancient Roman sewer

Reuters via MSN ^ | July 8, 2024 | Writing by Aleksandar Vasovic; Reporting by Spasiyana Sergieva; Editing by Helen Popper

[SunkenCiv]

Bulgarian archaeologists stumbled upon unexpected treasure this week during a dig in an ancient Roman sewer - a well-preserved, marble statue depicting the Greek god Hermes.

The discovery of the 6.8-foot (2-metre) tall statue was made during excavation work at the site of the ancient city of Heraclea Sintica in southwestern Bulgaria, which lies close to the Greek border.

Archaeologists leading the work said that after an earthquake devastated the sprawling city in about A.D. 388, the statue had been carefully placed in the sewers and covered with soil, explaining its good condition.

"Its head is preserved. (It's in a) very good condition. There are a few fractures on the hands," said Lyudmil Vagalinski, who led the team of archaeologists, adding that the statue was a Roman copy of an ancient Greek original.

Heraclea Sintica was a sprawling city founded by the ancient Macedonian king Philip II of Macedon, between 356 B.C. and 339 B.C. in what is now the Bulgarian region of Pirin Macedonia.

Heraclea Sintica was a sprawling city founded by the ancient Macedonian king Philip II of Macedon, between 356 B.C. and 339 B.C. in what is now the Bulgarian region of Pirin Macedonia...

After the earthquake, the Heraclea Sintica fell into a rapid decline and was abandoned by around A.D. 500.

[SunkenCiv]

A view shows a marble statue, uncovered by archaeologists at the site of the remains of the ancient city of Heraclea Sinitica, near the village of Rupite, Bulgaria, July 5, 2024.

Reuters/Spasiyana Sergieva © Thomson Reuters

[SunkenCiv]

[Red Badger]

Is his name Ralph?....................

[BenLurkin]

Crapticus. God of healthy bowel movements.

[Magnum44]

Looks like he was taking a leak...

[MeanWestTexan]

It was located below the public toilet next to a Roman Taco Bell.

[McCarthysGhost]

Lol!

[M Kehoe]

I’ll bet that caused a nasty backup.

5.56mm

[usurper]

An inglorious end for a god. Apparently somebody didn’t like him. I was more found of Athena myself.

[Red Badger]

They suspect that the statue was being hidden for later removal................

[avital2]

thanks for this - fascinating.

[ComputerGuy]

Seems like a strange place to lie down and take a nap.

[mairdie]

Now THAT makes perfect sense!

[Beowulf9]

Hey, Ralphie boy!

[Scrambler Bob]

Had enemas been invented yet?

[SunkenCiv]

CORKY SIEGEL- Harmonica/Piano/Vocals. JIM SCHWALL - Guitar/Vocals, The Legendary SAM LAY - Drums/Vocals, ROLLO RADFORD - Bass/Vocals, SAMBO ARTHUR IRBY- Percussion's, Drums, Vocals

Siegel Schwall Band - "I THINK IT WAS THE WINE" | 6:17
ETERNALJACKASS | 623 subscribers | 68,471 views | May 30, 2009

[M Kehoe]

Thanks.

I enjoyed that.

I don’t know why, but the song reminded me of “Snake Farm,” by Hubbard.

5.56mm

[PLMerite]

[17th Miss Regt]

Is he asleep?

[Revel]

Can you imagine the moment when a bunch of men met and just created the idea of the existence of these Gods. A great conspiracy.