Major Archaeological Discoveries of January 2023: From Hercules Statue to Oldest Egyptian Mummy
In January 2023, notable archaeological discoveries were reported in Italy and Egypt. A life-sized marble statue of Hercules was unearthed in Rome during sewer repairs near Parco Scott, as confirmed by Simone Quilici, the director of the Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica. This statue could be exhibited at Casale di Santa Maria Nova until June 30. Furthermore, the Carabinieri and the New York County District Attorney's Office facilitated the return of 60 looted artifacts to Italy, valued at over €20 million. Meanwhile, in Egypt, Zahi Hawass's team uncovered a 4,300-year-old mummy named Hekashepes at Saqqara, marking it as the oldest intact mummy found. Additionally, original artifacts were reinstated at the Villa di Poppea, according to director Gabriel Zuchtriegel.
Key facts
- Life-sized marble Hercules statue found on Via Appia Antica in Rome during sewer work by Acea Gruppo and Bacino sud SRL.
- Statue identified by club and lion skin; may depict an important historical figure.
- Simone Quilici, director of Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica, announced possible display at Casale di Santa Maria Nova in 'Patrimonium Appiae' exhibition until June 30.
- 60 looted archaeological artifacts repatriated from US to Italy, worth over €20 million.
- Recovery involved Carabinieri TPC and New York County District Attorney's Office.
- Major ancient art collector banned from acquiring antiquities for life.
- 4,300-year-old mummy of Hekashepes discovered at Saqqara by Zahi Hawass team.
- Paleolithic cave paintings proposed as earliest writing (lunar calendar) by Ben Bacon in Cambridge Archaeological Journal.
- Villa di Poppea in Oplontis reinstalled original statues and artifacts from Pompeii deposits.
- Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii Archaeological Park, highlighted conservation and contextual storytelling.
Entities
Institutions
- Parco Archeologico dell'Appia Antica
- Acea Gruppo
- Bacino sud SRL
- Corriere della Sera
- Casale di Santa Maria Nova
- Carabinieri per la Tutela del Patrimonio Culturale (TPC)
- New York County District Attorney's Office (DAO)
- Ministero della Cultura
- Ministero degli Affari Esteri
- Cambridge Archaeological Journal
- Università di Durham
- University College London
- Parco Archeologico di Pompei
- Palazzo Criscuolo
- Unesco
- ANSA
- EPA
- Artribune
Locations
- Roma
- Italy
- Via Appia Antica
- Parco Scott
- Cristoforo Colombo
- Stati Uniti
- New York
- Oplontis
- Torre Annunziata
- Pompei
- Egitto
- Saqqara
- Cairo
- Luxor
- Londra
- Durham