Ancient 'Treasure' Found in Farmer's Bookshelf

December 22, 2008

From today's Discovery News:

"Italian police have found the long-sought "treasure of Satricum" in a farmer's bookshelf, they announced at a news conference in Rome this week.

Consisting of more than 500 delicate miniature pots crafted about 2,600 years ago, the "treasure" was discovered during a police investigation in the countryside near the village of Campoverde di Aprilia, some 25 miles south of Rome.

The archaeological squad of the Carabinieri police noticed suspicious mounds, which are typical of a dig, near a small lake known as "Laghetto del Monsignore".

After spotting fragments of pottery in the soil, the Carabinieri placed the farmer who was working that land under investigation, searched his house and  seized 500 well-preserved miniatures."

Here  is a slideshow of the discovery (pictures: courtesy of Comando Carabinieri Tutela Patrimonio Culturale).