Rainfall has uncovered a small bull idol in ancient Olympia, Greece in what the culture ministry on Friday said was a "chance discovery."

The ministry said the small bronze idol, found intact, was spotted by an archaeologist inside the sprawling ancient site that inspired the modern Olympic Games, during a scheduled visit by ministry officials.

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It was found near the temple of Zeus and the Altis, the sacred enclosure and core of the sanctuary, the ministry said.

"One of its horns was poking out of the ground following recent heavy rainfall."

As in other ancient European and Asian cultures, animals like bulls and horses are thought to have been worshipped due to their importance to daily human life. 

In Ancient Greece, certain animals were considered representations of gods on earth. Bulls were chiefly associated with two main gods: Hera, the goddess of women, and Dionysus, the god of wine. 

According to a preliminary evaluation, the idol has been dated to the Geometric era (1050-700 BCE). Burn marks suggest it was likely one of thousands of offerings to Zeus, the leading ancient Greek deity.

The ancient Olympics were held in Olympia every four years from 776 BC to at least 393 AD, with Greek city-states setting aside their conflicts to take part.