Skip to main content
Sensations English Logo
LEVEL C1

Shadowing the newsreader

Listen to the newsreader read out each line and then practise saying it. Record your own voice line by line and submit your voiceover.

Hide View

Two dozen perfectly preserved statues dating back to the Etruscan civilisation have been unearthed in Tuscany, Italy.

Lying partially immersed in mud and water in a network of ancient thermal baths near Siena, the 2,300 year old relics represented gods, emperors and children.

The archaeological site, where the discovery was made, is located near one of the most popular modern day spas in Italy and is overseen by archaeological site director Emanuele Mariotti.

The Etruscan civilisation predates the Roman Republic by half a century, and was a thriving culture, before eventually being integrated into the Roman Empire.

In the history of Mediterranean archeological findings, the bronze statues are considered the most significant of its kind since 1972.

Witnessing the bronze figures' unearthing saw emotions running high, expressed archeologist Michela Ledda.

These are things that happen I think only once in the life of an archaeologist."

Uncovering a huge cache of coins on site has led archaeologists to speculate that much like the wishing wells of many cultures today, there might have been a belief that throwing coins into sacred pools led to health and prosperity.

This treasure trove's all the more extraordinary having been discovered in situ.

During the spread of Christianity, the baths were sealed shut, but crucially, not destroyed.

With the heavy stone pillars sealing off the site, the precious treasure was preserved by the mud and boiling water for future civilisations to unearth.

REGISTER NOW

Get videos, articles, games and study tools!

Learn at six levels from A1 to C1
Or sign up with your Email
By clicking “Sign Up” above you are accepting our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign in

Sign up with email

Enter the following information to create your account.
All sign up options

Log in Or create an account

or

Forgot password?

reset password or login

Crop Image

Crop preview
Add to homescreen