Lake of the Idols

Lake of the Idols Lago degli Idoli
Lake of the Idols following restoration
Lake of the Idols Location in Italy
Location	Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
Coordinates	43°52′0″N 11°41′0″E / 43.86667°N 11.68333°E / 43.86667; 11.68333Coordinates: 43°52′0″N 11°41′0″E / 43.86667°N 11.68333°E / 43.86667; 11.68333
Basin countries	Italy
Surface elevation	1,380 m (4,530 ft)

Lake of the Idols (Italian: Lago degli Idoli) is a lake located in Arezzo Province, Tuscany, Italy. It is located 1,380 metres (4,530 ft) above sea level atop Monte Falterona, about 600 metres from the source of the river Arno. Situated near an ancient road linking Etruria (including Tuscany and Umbria) with the Adriatic port cities of Romagna, it is known for one of the largest archaeological finds of the Etruscan civilization; over 600 bronze statuettes of Etruscan and Roman origin, along with thousands of other figurines from Cisalpine Gaul and Umbria, were discovered within the lake.

The lake was originally known as Lago della Ciliegeta (eng. Cherry Grove Lake), named for the cherry groves that grew around the lake. The name Lago degli Idoli (eng. Lake of the Idols) was applied after 1838 and refers to the Etruscan bronze statuettes found in the lake (see History). Another name for the lake is Buca del Tesoro (eng. Treasure Hole).

According to Alfredo Bresciani, the lake formed approximately 6,000 years ago (4th millennia BCE), based on radiocarbon dating and dendrochronology testing done on the lake.

The lake was used in ancient times by the Etruscans. They viewed it as a "holy spring of the river-gods" because of the healing qualities of the water, which contains a high concentration of tannin. The Etruscans would throw bronze statuettes into the lake as a form of votive offering. These statuettes depicted typically people or animals. Some artifacts in the lake depicted body parts, such as heads, arms and legs, suggesting the healing power of the lake. Other artifacts found at the lake were coins (including Etruscan aes rude), and fragments of arrow bits and pottery. It is believed that the lake was popular among soldiers based on the number of arrow fragments, and more importantly, the number of statuettes found depicting Hercle, the Etruscan version of Greek divine hero, Heracles. Artifacts found at the lake are dated between mid-6th to late-4th centuries BCE.