Police Investigate Ancient Greek Statue Found in Black Plastic Bag Near Thessaloniki Garbage Cans

Authorities in Greece have launched an investigation following the discovery of an ancient Greek statue discarded in a black plastic bag near garbage cans in Thessaloniki. A 32-year-old man reported finding the headless statue, belonging to the Hellenistic period (between 323 and 31 BC), near dustbins. The arrest was made by the organized crime unit, following the man's tip-off. According to the police, the statue measures 32 by 10 inches and its first assessment was done by the archaeology service. The authorities plan to conduct lab tests on the statue before handing it over to the antiquities service for further evaluation and conservation.

Illegal Trafficking of Antiquities

Police in Greece have long been faced with the challenge of illegal traffic in antiquities due to the abundance of artifacts from ancient Greece. The ongoing road and construction work across the country frequently unearths new findings from that era, often unintentionally. Such accidental archaeological discoveries are common in Greece, a nation celebrated for its ancient heritage, especially during building construction or public works. For instance, in December, workers installing natural gas pipelines near Athens unknowingly uncovered a Roman-era statue of Hermes buried upright in a brick-lined pit close to the Acropolis. Furthermore, a significant trove of antiquities was recently unveiled in Thessaloniki during the long-standing construction of its metro system, which opened in November. The key finds, including a marble-paved Roman thoroughfare and numerous artifacts spanning the Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman periods, are now proudly displayed at various subway stations.

This incident of ancient statues being found in trash is not isolated to Greece. In 2023, a Roman-era statuette of Venus was discovered in a garbage dump in Rennes, France. Similarly, ancient bronze statues were unearthed in a dump in Tuscany, Italy. Moreover, in 2013, a 1,800-year-old carved stone head, possibly representing a Roman god, was found in an ancient trash dump in England. These discoveries highlight the global issue of the preservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage.

The Greek authorities, while dealing with the aftermath of this incident, are also grappling with the broader challenge of protecting their rich historical legacy from illegal trafficking and misappropriation. The findings from construction and excavation sites not only demonstrate the enduring significance of ancient civilizations but also underscore the importance of responsible stewardship of cultural heritage.