Eine Sensation aus dem Schlamm. Die Bronzen von San Casciano
In the organizer's words:
Exceptionally well-preserved bronze statues from a sanctuary in San Casciano, Italy, provide an insight into healing rituals and religious practices at the transition from Etruscan to Roman culture. In summer, they will be presented as part of an exclusive special exhibition in the James Simon Gallery.
In the fall of 2022, a large number of extremely well-preserved bronze statues were found during excavations in San Casciano dei Bagni in Tuscany in a pool of water right next to a still-active thermal spring. It quickly became clear: a find of the century and an archaeological stroke of luck! Because ancient bronze figurines - especially in such large quantities - are extremely rare. The basin turned out to be the center of an Etruscan-Roman sanctuary. Sick people sought healing from the thermal waters here, anxious parents sought divine protection for their children. The statues, as well as many smaller objects, were offerings made by visitors to the powers worshipped here. Due to the ancient destruction and reconstruction, it was possible to clearly separate two time phases in the more than 500 years of use. It is therefore possible to study for the first time how a sanctuary functioned at the transition from Etruscan to Roman culture: Who were the deities? How did the local population come into contact with them? Which sections of the population visited the sanctuary? What were their concerns? Etruscan and Roman inscriptions on the votive offerings provide information about the donors, the deities and the occasion. How did this differ from consecration practices in other sanctuaries?
Bronzes shown outside Italy for the first time
It can also be shown that many of the concerns are universally human and that the practice of consecration has a long tradition. Even today, similar objects are still donated in Catholic and Orthodox churches, albeit on a smaller scale and made of less valuable materials.
After three stops in Italy, the bronzes will be shown in Berlin for the first and only time outside Italy. For the first time, spectacular new finds from the fall 2024 excavation will also be on display before they all find a permanent home in the museum in San Casciano.
The exhibition in the special exhibition room of the James Simon Gallery will be accompanied by an extensive education and outreach program with workshops and guided tours.
A special exhibition of the Collection of Classical Antiquities in the James Simon Gallery.
This content has been machine translated.Price information:
Free admission up to and including 18 years. Reduced 6€, regular 12€
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