A surprising archaeological discovery unfolded in Thessaloniki, Greece, where a headless statue believed to date back over 2,000 years was found in a plastic bag near trash bins.
Ancient Treasure Discovered in Thessaloniki Trash: A Headless Statue Unveiled
Ancient Treasure Discovered in Thessaloniki Trash: A Headless Statue Unveiled
A remarkable 2,000-year-old statue was found discarded among waste in Greece, prompting an investigation.
On the evening of January 18th, a 32-year-old local man brought a remarkable find to the police—an ancient statue originally plucked from the refuse near garbage cans in Thessaloniki. The headless entity, representing a female figure cloaked in flowing garments, stirred intrigue as authorities identified it to be from the Hellenistic period, believed to have flourished from 323 B.C. until around 31 B.C.
The police, in collaboration with crime, trafficking, and heritage protection units, have initiated an investigation to trace the statue's origins and uncover how such a historic relic ended up in the trash. In Greece, the unearthing of ancient artifacts in unexpected locales is not a rare occurrence, reflecting the country's deep historical roots—often revealed during construction endeavors, like those for the 2004 Olympics or subway expansions.
Vasilis Tempelis, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, highlighted that this isn't an isolated incident of civilians delivering ancient artifacts to police stations. Following a preliminary examination, the Ministry confirmed the statue falls under Greece’s antiquities protection laws, and a specialized panel will assess its materials and age.
The statue stands approximately 31 inches tall. Dr. Bert Smith, a recognized professor of classical archaeology, indicates that the figure resembles a small-scale representation of a goddess, collectively seen in domestic temple offerings and divine dedications. He described the attire depicted on the figure—a heavy woolen one-piece garment, known as a peplos—as being traditionally worn by goddesses in ancient times.
Though both arms and the head are missing, Dr. Smith noted their significance, as their absence leaves an incomplete narrative of the figure's original portrayal. “The arms might tell us what the figure was doing and what attributes it may have carried,” he commented. The loss of the head and arms, he added, is likely due to the statue's long history and interactions through time.
As this remarkable piece of Greece's heritage emerges from obscurity, it serves as a reminder of the nation's storied past and the potential for further archaeological discoveries hidden in everyday places.
The police, in collaboration with crime, trafficking, and heritage protection units, have initiated an investigation to trace the statue's origins and uncover how such a historic relic ended up in the trash. In Greece, the unearthing of ancient artifacts in unexpected locales is not a rare occurrence, reflecting the country's deep historical roots—often revealed during construction endeavors, like those for the 2004 Olympics or subway expansions.
Vasilis Tempelis, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Culture, highlighted that this isn't an isolated incident of civilians delivering ancient artifacts to police stations. Following a preliminary examination, the Ministry confirmed the statue falls under Greece’s antiquities protection laws, and a specialized panel will assess its materials and age.
The statue stands approximately 31 inches tall. Dr. Bert Smith, a recognized professor of classical archaeology, indicates that the figure resembles a small-scale representation of a goddess, collectively seen in domestic temple offerings and divine dedications. He described the attire depicted on the figure—a heavy woolen one-piece garment, known as a peplos—as being traditionally worn by goddesses in ancient times.
Though both arms and the head are missing, Dr. Smith noted their significance, as their absence leaves an incomplete narrative of the figure's original portrayal. “The arms might tell us what the figure was doing and what attributes it may have carried,” he commented. The loss of the head and arms, he added, is likely due to the statue's long history and interactions through time.
As this remarkable piece of Greece's heritage emerges from obscurity, it serves as a reminder of the nation's storied past and the potential for further archaeological discoveries hidden in everyday places.
