A resident of the village of Neo Epivatés, located 12 miles from Thessaloniki, discovered an 80-centimeter marble statue in a dumpster. It was packed inside a trash bag. The man immediately reported the find to the authorities.
Archaeological experts who examined the statue believe it dates back to the Hellenistic period (320-30 BC). This era spanned from the death of Alexander the Great to the fall of the Ptolemaic Kingdom and was marked by significant cultural flourishing.
The discarded statue offers a glimpse into this historical period. Following an initial assessment, archaeologists confirmed its Greek origin and its age of over 2,000 years. It will undergo further detailed examination before being transferred for preservation to the local antiquities department.
Meanwhile, the police have launched an investigation to determine who discarded the statue. The man who found it was questioned and released without charges.
In Greece, accidental discoveries are not uncommon
In a country renowned for its historical and cultural heritage, unexpected finds occur quite frequently. Artifacts are often uncovered during construction or renovation work, as reported by the Independent.
In December of last year, workers laying gas pipes in Athens stumbled upon a statue of Hermes from the Roman period near the Acropolis. The rare piece was hidden upright in a brick-lined pit.
Recently in Thessaloniki, an entire collection of antiquities was showcased, unearthed during years of construction for a subway system that opened in November 2024.