A vast collection of illegally acquired antiquities, spanning from the Geometric (1100–750 BC) to the Hellenistic period (up to 31 BC), and 3,247 coins has been uncovered in a basement in central Athens, the Culture Ministry announced.
According to ekathimerini.com, the artifacts were found in the Alexandros Soutsos Mansion at 33 Stadiou and 3 Pesmazoglou streets, a property owned by the National Gallery of Greece and recently leased as a shop. Hidden in a concealed underground space accessible only via a trapdoor, the objects were wrapped in newspapers from the 1940s, when the site operated as a jewelry and art store.
The discovery was made in February during the eviction of the former tenants.
“In addition to the repatriation of cultural goods illegally exported from our country, there are also cases of the illegal activity of acquiring goods in our country. One such case was identified in the heart of Athens,” said Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.
State archaeologists cataloged the find, which includes 102 ancient objects such as kylixes, canthari, basins, lekythoi, skyphoi, and figurines, 36 post-Byzantine religious items like icons and ecclesiastical silverwork, and coins, medals, seal stones, and weights from ancient to modern times.
The artifacts have been transferred to secure storage at the Athens ephorate of antiquities and the Numismatic Museum. After conservation, a scientific committee will assess their monetary value.
The announcement followed news of a white marble statue discovered elsewhere in Athens during gas pipeline works.
Source: ekathimerini.com
