9 Jan 2013

Roman era statues found

10:01 am on 9 January 2013

Archaeologists in Italy have discovered a set of statues dating from the Roman era.

The seven figures were found at a villa outside the city owned by the patron of the celebrated poet, Ovid.

They depict one of the myths recounted in his masterpiece, Metamorphoses, that of the proud mother Niobe.

The figures were found at the bottom of a swimming pool. The BBC reports there is speculation that they toppled in to the pool during an earthquake and have remained there for about 2000 years.