Ancient Greek Statue Found Abandoned in a Rubbish Bag

A surprising archaeological discovery has been made near Thessaloniki, Greece, where a headless ancient marble statue believed to be more than 2,000 years old was found discarded in a garbage bag. The statue, standing at 80 centimetres (31 inches), was discovered by a resident in Neoi Epivates, a town outside Greece’s second-largest city. Acting quickly, the individual turned the statue over to local authorities, prompting an investigation and archaeological assessment.

Experts have determined that the statue dates back to the Hellenistic period, a time marked by artistic and cultural advancements following the conquests of Alexander the Great, roughly between 320 and 30 B.C. The find has now been transferred to the local antiquities authority for preservation and further study, ensuring its significance is fully understood and safeguarded.

Meanwhile, Greek police have launched an investigation to uncover how such a valuable artifact ended up discarded. A man was briefly detained for questioning but was later released without charge.

This is not the first time Greece has unearthed an ancient marble statue or other extraordinary artifacts in unexpected places. The country, renowned for its ancient heritage, frequently sees accidental discoveries during construction or public works. Just last December, workers installing natural gas pipelines near Athens uncovered a Roman-era statue of Hermes buried upright in a brick-lined pit close to the Acropolis.

For more information on Greece’s remarkable archaeological discoveries, visit the British Museum website.

For more insights into ancient discoveries and other archaelogical updates, visit EyeOnLondon.

[Feature Image Credit: Greek Police via Associated Press]

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