Divers find Caesar bust that may date to 46 B.C.

Divers trained in archaeology discovered a marble bust of an aging Caesar in the Rhone River that France's Culture Ministry said Tuesday could be the oldest known.

The life-sized bust showing the Roman ruler with wrinkles and hollows in his face is tentatively dated to 46 B.C. Divers uncovered the Caesar bust and a collection of other finds in the Rhone near the town of Arles — founded by Caesar.

Among other items in the treasure trove of ancient objects is a 5.9 foot marble statue of Neptune, dated to the first decade of the third century after Christ.

Two smaller statues, both in bronze and measuring 27.5 inches each also were found, one of them, a satyr with his hands tied behind his back, "doubtless" originated in Hellenic Greece, the ministry said.

"Some (of the discoveries) are unique in Europe," Culture Minister Christine Albanel said. The bust of Caesar is in a class by itself.

"This marble bust of the founder of the Roman city of Arles constitutes the most ancient representation known today of Caesar," the ministry statement said, adding that it "undoubtedly" dates to the creation of Arles in 46 B.C.

Among other things, researchers are trying to uncover "in what context these statues were thrown into the river," said Michel L'Hour, who heads the Department of Subaquatic Archaeological Research, whose divers made the discovery between September and October 2007.

The site "has barely been skimmed," L'Hour told The Associated Press, adding that a new search operation will begin this summer.

He said the Arles region, in the Provence region of southern France, with its Roman beginnings, and the Rhone are "propitious" for discoveries. Albanel called the find "exceptional" and said that the Caesar bust is "the oldest representation known today" of the emperor.

Divers also found a huge marble statue of Neptune, dated from the third century. - yahoo

I'm seriously thinking about doing this just for the weirdness of having done it. How much would it cost to have a life-sized bust made of myself in white marble? I could put it on my piano. Statues.com was closed when I was writing this, but I left a message to ask for their price. Actually I've always wanted to have a house with white marble statues of Greek goddesses, or perhaps women I've dated. Hahah.

Update: This place will do it for $1200 if you send them photos of your head. Not sure if it's life-sized or if the price includes shipping. Takes 4 to 6 months and you get to approve a clay model before they start carving in marble.

Then my plan is to have them hide a memory chip in the middle of my marble head with this entire web site, every picture I've taken, my music, etc.
By the way, someone should scan inside that Caesar bust... just in case.