Marble bust believed to depict Roman goddess of love found during excavations at Alicante beach

A marble bust thought to represent Venus, the Roman goddess of love, has been unearthed during redevelopment at La Almadraba beach in Alicante, Spain.

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The chronology, therefore, pending a more exhaustive report, both in terms of style and context, would place it between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.

The discovery was announced by the Alicante City Council in late May. The bust features a Hellenistic-inspired hairstyle with wavy hair parted in the middle, aligning with classical depictions of Venus. José Manuel Pérez Burgo, head of Integral Heritage at Alicante City Council, stated that the bust's style and context suggest it dates between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE, pending a more exhaustive report.

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The chronology, therefore, pending a more exhaustive report, both in terms of style and context, would place it between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.

Nayma Beldjilali, Alicante Culture Councillor, noted the bust's similarity to sculptures displayed in the homes of ancient Rome’s upper class. She emphasized its significance as a "Roman head of great artistic quality and in an excellent state of preservation," calling it one of the "most important finds of a Roman sculpture in the entire history of Alicante and its province."

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The chronology, therefore, pending a more exhaustive report, both in terms of style and context, would place it between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.

Archaeological surveys in the area, ongoing since 2009 as part of the redevelopment project, have also revealed the foundations of a Roman villa. This villa was reportedly in use between the 3rd century BCE and the 4th century CE. Alongside the villa's foundations, well-preserved pottery shards and Roman coins were discovered. Further analysis of these findings is being conducted by Arpa Patrimonio under the municipality’s Integrated Heritage department.

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The chronology, therefore, pending a more exhaustive report, both in terms of style and context, would place it between the 1st and 2nd centuries CE.