Scientists determined the casting occurred between 1021 and 1153 AD through radiocarbon results from February 2007. Thermoluminescence dating supported this medieval timeframe with 95.4% accuracy at the University of Salento.
A herdsman named Faustulus found the infants and raised them as his own after they were cast into the Tiber River. This event formed the foundation of Roman identity for centuries before ancient writers like Livy recorded the tale.
Pope Sixtus IV ordered the transfer to the Palazzo dei Conservatori in December 1471 where it remains part of the Capitoline Museum. The twins were added around that same time by sculptor Antonio del Pollaiuolo to complete the group.
John Osborne argued that the metal contains copper from Sardinia typical of Etruscan sources without common medieval adulteration. Lead from a source unknown during the Middle Ages was also detected in the analysis supporting an ancient origin.
Benito Mussolini sent copies to U.S. cities including Hamilton Gardens and Eden Park Cincinnati Ohio to encourage American goodwill. Another copy went to Rome Georgia in 1931 while Alfonso Felici donated a third copy to Rome New York in 1956.