New research puts spotlight on ancient artefacts looted by the Nazis from Greece

·

New research by scholars across the world has started to shine a spotlight on the Nazi role in the looting of antiquities from Greece during World War II.

Take for example a new book, The Past in Shackles, published by Vassilios Petrakos, a scholar who is curator of antiquities and general secretary of the Archaeological Society of Athens. The book is a five-volume study on the looting of antiquities in Greece during WWII.

Symposia and lectures on antiquities looting by the Nazis have also been held in several cities in the past few years, including one by the College Art Association.

Nazi soldiers in Rome. Photo: Museo di Capodimonte inv. Q 205.

“Research has intensified greatly in many countries, including the United States, Germany, Italy, France, Poland and Greece,” Irene Bald Romano, a professor of anthropology at the University of Arizona, told The New York Times.

But of course, the research does not come without its challenges.

According to the NY Times, the passage of time has made it difficult for scholars today to quantify the scope of the looting of antiquities that occurred during World War II.

“A complete account of what was stolen does not exist and is no longer possible,” Petrakos, referring to the situation in Greece, said.

Nazi invasion of Greece.

Petrakos said there were major digs in the Thessaly region of northern Greece. These were organised by Alfred Rosenberg, the Nazi theorist, who headed the Einsatzstab Reichsleiter Rosenberg, which plundered art, archives and libraries throughout Europe.

Heinrich Himmler, the head of the Gestapo and the SS, also started excavations in Greece under the auspices of his Ahnenerbe (Ancestral Heritage) organisation.

But experts say that these days Germany has been quite responsive to claims for repatriation of looted antiquities. It is not yet clear however, whether some may still reside in its museums because determining the full history of ancient artefacts can be so difficult.

Source: NY Times.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Nominations open for The Greek Herald’s 2025 Woman of the Year Awards

Nominations are open now for The Greek Herald’s 2025 Woman of the Year Awards. Find out more about the awards here.

Maria Callas’ legacy honoured at launch of the Maria Callas Australian Society in Melbourne

The timeless legacy of Maria Callas was celebrated in grand fashion over the weekend as Maria Callas Australian Society officially launched.

Oakleigh Grammar students inspired by annual Blessing and generous gift

Oakleigh Grammar School Community gathered for the Annual Blessing of Waters at the commencement of the New Academic Year. 

Judge Rania Skaros refers Australian lawyer to Commission over ChatGPT misuse

Justice Rania Skaros has referred an Australian lawyer to the OLSC after he admitted to using ChatGPT to draft court filings in a case.

Macquarie University to hold exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek 2025

The examinations for the Certificate of Attainment in the Greek language in Sydney will take place at Macquarie University.

You May Also Like

Alphington Grammar loses fight to stop construction of mental health facility next door

Alphington Grammar, launched an unsuccessful legal bid to block a 24-hour mental health facility from being built next door.

Rally held for the release of Himare Mayor-elect Beleri

The ethnic Greek association Omonoia held a rally in Himare with the aim of calling for the immediate release of Fredi Beleri.

King returns to the ring: George Kambosos Jr to fight Teofimo Lopez in mega $7.6 million deal

One of Australia's biggest lightweight boxers George Kambosos Jr will finally be returning to the ring to fight Teofimo Lopez in massive $7.6 million (AUD) deal offered by streaming platform Triller.