most bronze statues from ancient times were melted down for their raw materials or were naturally corroded, but the charioteer survived because it was buried under a rock-fall at delphi, which probably destroyed the site in 373 b.c.. some freestanding bronze statues, however, including the charioteer, have been rediscovered in the 20th century. although the charioteer is the last remaining bronze sculpture from delphi, the figure exhibited a similar bluish appearance which after a century of indoor exposure turned greenish. the lower torso still preserves a bluish coloration. the "charioteer" is almost intact except that his left forearm and some details on the head are missing including the copper inlays on the lips and most of the silver eyelashes and headband. the statue is one of the few greek bronzes to preserve the inlaid glass eyes. greek bronzes were cast in sections and then assembled. when discovered, the statue was in three pieces—head and upper torso, lower torso, and right arm.