Italian scholars claim they have unearthed the first known piece by Renaissance genius Leonardo Da Vinci. "The Archangel Gabriel," a painted glazed tile, was signed and dated by an artist believed to be the 18-year-old Da Vinci. The claim is based on a signature and date painted in the angel's jaw line, barely visible to the naked eye. It reads "Da Vinci Lionardo," with the apparent date of authorship; "1471."

After three years of scientific and artistic investigations, Professor Ernesto Solari, an art historian and expert on Da Vinci, along with Ivana Rosa Bonfantino, a handwriting expert, announced that this could be the first known work produced by Da Vinci. The glazed tile was found by the descendants of the aristocratic Fenice family of Ravello, Italy, Solari said.