Alexander Cooper-Bohler ’25 unearthed a miniature Hercules statue in Montaione, Italy at a Roman mansio (“rest house”) and bathhouse complex during the Montaione Excavation 2024 season. Cooper-Bohler is an archaeology major with a minor in East Asian studies.
“The highlight of the dig for me was finding a statue of Hercules in an area I had been instructed to pick-axe through,” Cooper-Bohler said. “Thankfully, I noticed the strange shape of the statue’s abdomen before my pick could cleave it in half. I spent the rest of the day carefully removing the dirt from around the statue with dental tools. It is the first statue found in over a decade of excavations at the site and made the weeks of digging in the hot Tuscan summer worth it!”
Cooper-Bohler received support from the Cornell Institute for Archaeology and Material Studies (CIAMS) in the College of Arts and Sciences to participate in the excavation.
“CIAMS is thrilled that we were able to provide financial support for Alex’s participation in the Montaione excavations through the Jacob and Hedwig Hirsch fund,” said Adam Smith, Distinguished Professor of Arts and Sciences in Anthropology (A&S) and CIAMS director. “Each summer, CIAMS helps many Cornell students experience the thrill of archeological discovery. Although it must be said, finds like Alex’s are rare.”
The statue, dating to the 4th c. CE, stands 50 cm tall. It depicts a nude Hercules leaning on his club to his right, with the Nemean lion’s skin the hero had killed draped over his left arm. A bull’s head lies at the statue’s feet, representing the hero’s seventh labor: the capture of the Cretan bull.
“It’s a discovery that excites us and reminds us how archaeology constantly surprises us with new objects and insights,” said Antonella Ranaldi, Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Metropolitan City of Florence. “The statuette is nearly complete, made of three fitting pieces, and the bull at Hercules’ feet is an unusual and fascinating detail.”
Hercules is known to have completed the twelve labors as repentance for killing his wife and children. Among these are his slaying of the Nemean lion, the hydra and retrieving one of the golden apples from the edge of the world. While he is often shown with the Nemean lion’s skin and his unique weapons, the capture of the rampaging bull, for which he was sent to Crete by King Eurystheus, was not as commonly depicted in ancient Greek and Roman art.
"Uncovering this statue reminded me of one of the things that drew me to archaeology in the first place, which is the thrill of discovery and the excitement of never knowing what you'll find,” said Cooper-Bohler. “I think it also shows how archaeology is always a group effort. While I was the one lucky enough to make this discovery, anyone else on the dig could have as well, and we all shared in the excitement that followed. Digs give you the opportunity to meet and become friends with people from around the world."
The Montaione excavations are a collaborative project by the Valdelsa Fiorentina Cultural Association, the University of Florence’s SAGAS Department and students from Field School Montaione in Classical Archaeology, Survey, and Material Culture, including international participants from the Irlab Institute.
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