BEIJING, May 14 (Xinhuanet) -- A marble bust of an aging Caesar found in the Rhone River by divers trained in archaeology could be the oldest known, France's Culture Ministry said Tuesday.

    The life-sized bust shows the Roman ruler with wrinkles and hollows in his face. It is tentatively dated to 46 B.C. Divers uncovered the bust and a collection of other finds in the Rhone near the town of Arles, which was 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.

    (Agencies)