On August 16, 1972, at a depth of eight meters and 230 meters off the coast of Riace Marina, scuba diver Stefano Mariottini spotted a bronze left arm emerging from the sandy seabed of the Ionian Sea. This marked the beginning of one of the 20th century's most celebrated archaeological recoveries. Using air-filled balloons, the Carabinieri diving center brought two exceptionally well-preserved Greek warriors to the surface on August 21 and 22. Dated to 460 and 430 BC, these sculptures have become the ultimate symbol of Reggio Calabria. Alongside rare masterpieces like the Charioteer of Delphi and the Artemision Bronze, they stand as precious direct testimonies of the great master sculptors of the classical age, even though the exact identity of their creators remains a mystery.
What to see
The two nude male figures, measuring approximately 180 centimeters in height, are striking in their anatomical realism and multi-material craftsmanship. Statue A is distinguished by a flowing, curly beard, open arms, and one leg stepping forward. Statue B, found lying on its side, features a bent leg and originally carried a shield on its left arm. Upon close inspection, the vivid chromatic details achieved with materials other than bronze become apparent: silver illuminates the teeth of Statue A and the eyelashes of both warriors; pure copper was used for their lips and nipples, while the sclerae of their eyes are modeled from ivory and limestone. X-ray analysis has revealed that Statue B's right arm and left forearm belong to a different casting, welded on in antiquity to repair damage sustained while the piece was already on public display. Today, the sculptures stand on cutting-edge anti-seismic bases made of Carrara marble, designed by ABDR Architetti Associati (Maria Laura Arlotti, Michele Beccu, Paolo Desideri, Filippo Raimondo). This morphological system employs internal marble spheres between concave caps, paired with stainless steel shock absorbers, to completely isolate the bronzes from vertical and horizontal seismic activity.
Visiting
Since December 2013, the Bronzes have been exhibited in the large hall of the National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria, kept in a strictly controlled microclimate with 40-50% humidity and a temperature between 21 and 23 °C. Their current condition is the culmination of decades of complex conservation. Following initial cleaning in Reggio Calabria, the statues spent five years (1975–1980) at the Restoration Center in Florence. In the 1990s, they were completely emptied of their original internal casting clay to halt degradation, treated with nitrobenzene against cuprous oxides. More recently, between 2009 and 2011, while the museum was being renovated, the statues were temporarily moved to Palazzo Campanella. There, restorers Paola Donati and Nuccio Schepis of the Higher Institute for Conservation and Restoration conducted endoscopic investigations, identifying the original square-section nails used to hold the molds during the ancient casting process and applying an internal anti-corrosion chemical.
Our editors' tip
Take a moment to examine the subtle differences in the metal of Statue B's arms, which provides a rare, tangible record of a repair carried out in antiquity. Also, look closely at the striking contrast between the dark bronze and the silver and copper facial inserts, a technique that gives the warriors' gazes an unmatched intensity.