A remarkable discovery has been made at the bottom of Italy’s Lake Nemi—a well-preserved ancient marble bust that experts suggest may have once adorned a ship built by the Roman Emperor Caligula over two millennia ago.
The stone head was found during a routine dredging operation overseen by the Municipal Civil Protection of Nemi. After its retrieval, the artifact was promptly handed over to experts for further analysis and study.
While the city authorities have not yet confirmed the precise age or details of the sculpture, its potential historical significance has sparked considerable speculation among outsiders.
Lake Nemi, located just south of Rome, is renowned as one of the world’s most significant underwater archaeological sites. In the 1st century C.E., two lavish ships commissioned by Caligula sank in the lake, filling its depths with remnants such as timber, tarred wool, marbles, and mosaics. Although local residents were aware of the sunken ships for generations, it was not until the late 1920s and ’30s, under the orders of Benito Mussolini, that the lakes were drained and the vessels were salvaged. Unfortunately, a bombing raid during World War II destroyed the museum where the ship remains were stored.
Since then, various artifacts from the ships have been periodically recovered from Lake Nemi. One notable example is a mosaic originally intended for a dance floor, which was returned to Italy in 2021 after serving as a coffee table in a New York City apartment for 45 years.
The purpose of Caligula’s two ships remains a mystery, much like many aspects of his reign. Some theories suggest religious significance, given Lake Nemi’s sacred status in ancient times. Both ships were extravagant, but one was believed to be particularly opulent, resembling a floating palace adorned with silk sails, fountains, and even plumbing-equipped bathrooms.
While it is yet to be determined if the recently discovered marble bust was one of the decorations on Caligula’s ship, Alberto Bertucci, the mayor of Nemi, expressed his hope that this find would shed new light on the history of Caligula and his legacy. He anticipates that the secrets hidden in the depths of Lake Nemi will be unveiled once again.
Further research and analysis of the marble bust will provide valuable insights into the life and times of Caligula, offering a glimpse into the fascinating world of ancient Rome.