Construction worker discovers 1,800-year-old marble statue of Roman woman buried near Burghley House. (Getty Images)
A surprising archaeological find emerged from the routine operations of a British construction worker as he maneuvered his digger through a parking lot near the historic Burghley House, a 16th-century manor situated in Stamford, approximately 90 miles north of London. Greg Crawley, donning his hardhat and engaged in his excavation work, stumbled upon an unexpected treasure buried beneath the earth's surface – an ancient statue depicting a Roman woman, dating back approximately 1,800 years.
Crawley's ordinary workday took an extraordinary turn when he noticed a peculiar object amidst the freshly displaced soil. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was not just a stone but the head of a marble statue. The astonishment of the discovery was palpable in Crawley's words as he recounted the moment of revelation.
"I had a real shock as the digger bucket rolled over what I thought was a big stone to reveal a face," he shared, expressing his disbelief at unearthing such a remarkable artifact. "When I picked it up, I realized it was the head of a statue," he added, still marveling at the find. "I couldn’t believe it when they told me it was a Roman marble statue. It was an amazing feeling to have found something so old and special – definitely my best ever discovery," Crawley reflected.
Following the initial discovery in the spring of 2023, another significant find occurred just two weeks later, with the unearthing of the bust of the marble statue, a short distance away from the parking lot. Both pieces were promptly entrusted to Burghley House's curator and subsequently examined by experts. Through meticulous cleaning and dating processes, specialists determined that these artifacts originated from either the First or Second Century.
The circumstances surrounding the statue's presence at Burghley House shed light on its probable journey. It is believed that during the 1760s, the ninth Earl of Burghley acquired the statue during his travels to Italy. Dealers in Italy, seeking to enhance the appeal of their excavated treasures, often embellished them with iron dowels to attract aristocratic collectors like the Earl.
However, the mystery deepens as to how the statue came to be buried outside the manor. Burghley House officials speculate various scenarios, ranging from a failed burglary attempt to the statue being discarded and subsequently covered by soil. Despite diligent efforts to unravel the enigma, the origins of the statue's burial remain elusive.
The discovery garnered attention from the British Museum, though the artifacts currently remain on display at Burghley House, reinstated to their original form and showcased alongside other statues procured during the ninth Earl's Italian excursions. The 1,800-year-old statue now occupies a prominent position along the Hell Staircase, serving as a tangible link to a distant era and adding another layer of intrigue to the historical tapestry of Burghley House.
