Archaeologists Discover Ancient Roman God’s Head Beneath Catholic Basilica in Rome

Archaeologists digging beneath a centuries-old Catholic basilica in Rome have stumbled upon a curious relic from an even older era: the stone head of a Roman god.

The Appian Way Regional Park team made this discovery during their excavation at the Basilica of St. Stephen on Caelian Hill, a church dating back to the fifth century A.D. Turns out, the foundations of Christianity in Rome are quite literally built on the ruins of ancient deities—talk about layers of history.

The artifact, described as a bearded male figure with curly hair (though time hasn't been kind to his features), was found embedded in the foundation. Experts believe it represented a deity, adding yet another twist to Rome's already wild archaeological resume.

The statue head has now been sent off to Matera, where the Central Institute for Restoration—and some lucky students—will get up close and personal with it. Their mission: document, diagnose, and decode the techniques used to craft this mysterious head. Right now, thick layers of mortar cover much of the face, making identification a bit like playing history's toughest guessing game.

This collaboration between the Appian Way Regional Park and the ICR aims to push the boundaries of archaeological science, all while promoting innovative restoration methods. The study will take place in two phases: first in Matera, then in Rome, where the artifact will get its restoration glow-up.

The findings aren't just about this one statue. The research will shed new light on the cultural dynamics and artistic traditions of late antique Rome, giving us more insight into how ancient and modern worlds overlap in the Eternal City. If these church walls could talk, they'd give history books a run for their money.

Rome isn't the only place making headlines for ancient finds. Just last year, a remarkably preserved Roman statue surfaced in Bulgaria, and a 2,000-year-old marble statue was spotted in a garbage bag in Greece—because apparently, some people treat history like last week's leftovers. Guess you never know what treasures might be hiding beneath your feet (or trash pile).