A 1,800-Year-Old Ancient Roman Statue Of A “Beautiful Roman Lady” Was Discovered During A Construction Project At A 16th-Century Mansion In England, But Her Identity Remains Unknown

The Grand Tour provided them with an opportunity to explore the cultural wonders of Europe and complete their education. Historically, it ran through France and Italy.

It is unclear how the statue ended up buried in the ground at Burghley House, but the tradition of the Grand Tour may help lead archaeologists to the answer. Culverhouse speculates that the statue in the soil is the result of a botched burglary.

The sculpture may have been stolen from the garden surrounding the mansion. The thief could have hidden the statue near an exit point with the intention of returning for it later, but for some reason, it just never happened. It is also a possibility that the sculpture was simply discarded and forgotten.

The statue is now on display at the Burghley House alongside other statues that the ninth earl had collected.