According to the Greek Ministry of Culture, ancient artifacts were found in the basement of a store owned by the National Art Gallery.
Many items date from the Geometric period of Greek history (1100-750 BC) to Hellenistic times (before 31 BC). They were discovered during an inspection of the premises during the execution of an Athens court decision to deprive its former tenants of the right to use the store. The Greek Ministry of Culture was informed by a gallery representative after the discovery of the valuables. The department noted quotes GreekReporter:
“Archaeologists from the Department of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Property and the Numismatic Museum opened a cache in which 102 ancient artifacts were discovered, dating from the Geometric to the Hellenistic periods:
- ancient Greek vessels – kilikis, canthoras, lekythos, skythos,
- figurines,
- 36 religious objects of the post-Byzantine period – icons, silver frames, the staff of the high priest and other church values,
- 3247 coins, medals, seals, weights, dating from ancient to modern times.”
Almost all the artifacts were located in a hard-to-reach underground space, which could only be accessed through a hatch on the ground floor. They were found packed in old cardboard boxes, some wrapped in 1940s newspapers. At that time, the premises were first rented out as a store selling all kinds of jewelry, watches and various works of art.
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni suggests that the found collection was collected as a result of “illegal activities for the acquisition of antiquities within Greece.” All items were transferred to the storage facilities of the Athens Antiquities Inspectorate and the Numismatic Museum, pending the completion of the investigation of the case by the competent prosecutorial authorities. After conservation, the ministry noted, an examination will be carried out by a special scientific commission that will assess their monetary value.
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