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Famed Roman statue 'not ancient' | Famed Roman statue 'not ancient' |
(about 21 hours later) | |
A statue symbolising the mythical origins and power of Rome, long thought to have been made around 500BC, has been found to date from the 1200s. | A statue symbolising the mythical origins and power of Rome, long thought to have been made around 500BC, has been found to date from the 1200s. |
The statue depicts a she-wolf suckling Remus and his twin brother Romulus - who is said to have founded Rome. | The statue depicts a she-wolf suckling Remus and his twin brother Romulus - who is said to have founded Rome. |
The statue of the wolf was carbon-dated last year, but the test results have only now been made public. | The statue of the wolf was carbon-dated last year, but the test results have only now been made public. |
The figures of Romulus and Remus have already been shown to be 15th Century additions to the statue. | The figures of Romulus and Remus have already been shown to be 15th Century additions to the statue. |
In a front page article in the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, Rome's former top heritage official, Professor Adriano La Regina, said about 20 tests were carried out on the she-wolf at the University of Salerno. | In a front page article in the Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, Rome's former top heritage official, Professor Adriano La Regina, said about 20 tests were carried out on the she-wolf at the University of Salerno. |
He said the results of the tests gave a very precise indication that the statue was manufactured in the 13th Century. | He said the results of the tests gave a very precise indication that the statue was manufactured in the 13th Century. |
Damaged paw | Damaged paw |
Academics have been arguing about the origins of the statue - known as the Lupa Capitolina - since the 18th Century. | |
Until recently it was widely acknowledged that the statue was an Etruscan work dating from the 5th Century BC. | Until recently it was widely acknowledged that the statue was an Etruscan work dating from the 5th Century BC. |
The Roman statesman, Cicero, who lived in the 1st Century BC, describes a statue of a she-wolf that was damaged by a lightning strike - the Lupa Capitolina has a damaged paw. | The Roman statesman, Cicero, who lived in the 1st Century BC, describes a statue of a she-wolf that was damaged by a lightning strike - the Lupa Capitolina has a damaged paw. |
However, in 2006, an Italian art historian and restorer, Anna Maria Carruba, argued that the statue had been cast in a single piece using a wax mould - a technique unknown in the ancient world. | However, in 2006, an Italian art historian and restorer, Anna Maria Carruba, argued that the statue had been cast in a single piece using a wax mould - a technique unknown in the ancient world. |
She suggested the damage to the Lupa Capitolina's paw was the result of a mistake in the moulding process. | She suggested the damage to the Lupa Capitolina's paw was the result of a mistake in the moulding process. |
The statue is among the most important works on display at the Capitoline museums in Rome. | The statue is among the most important works on display at the Capitoline museums in Rome. |
The Lupa Capitolina is the emblem of the Serie A football club, Roma, and was the symbol used for the 1960 Rome Olympics. | The Lupa Capitolina is the emblem of the Serie A football club, Roma, and was the symbol used for the 1960 Rome Olympics. |