The Riace — Bronzes

The Riace Bronzes (often called "Warrior A" and "Warrior B") are two full-size Greek bronze statues dating from . Discovered by chance in 1972 by a scuba diver off the coast of Calabria, Italy, they are among the few surviving original Greek bronzes in existence, as most others were melted down in antiquity. 1. Discovery & Recovery

Both stand nearly 2 meters tall (approximately 197–198 cm ). The Riace bronzes

The statues are celebrated for their , including visible tendons in the hands and detailed cuticles on the nails. The Riace Bronzes (often called "Warrior A" and

Originally more lifelike, they featured copper lips and nipples, silver teeth, and eyes made of ivory or stone. Discovery & Recovery Both stand nearly 2 meters

Both utilize contrapposto , a naturalistic pose where the weight is shifted onto one leg. 3. Scientific Research & Mystery The Riace Bronzes: history, discovery and curiosities

An underwater archaeology team used pressurized air balloons and oil drums to lift the statues, which were initially mistaken by local police for a possible murder case. 2. Artistic & Technical Details