On Monday, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced the voluntary repatriation of 86 ancient artifacts to Greece by a private foreign collector.
This significant repatriation, the result of a collaborative agreement, brings home a wide array of antiquities that span a vast chronological range, from the Early Neolithic to the Late Hellenistic periods.
The collection includes a diverse set of objects, showcasing the breadth of ancient Greek artistry and craftsmanship.
Artifacts returned to Greece
The collection includes a wide range of objects that highlight the richness of ancient Greek artistry and craftsmanship, such as:
- Figurines: Neolithic female figurines, marble Cycladic figurines, and bronze figurines from the Geometric, Archaic, and Hellenistic periods
- Ceramics: Pottery from the Mycenaean period and noteworthy examples of Attic black-figure and red-figure vases
- Metalwork: Bronze helmets, bronze and silver vessels (including hydriae and oinochoe), and bronze mirrors
- Other artifacts: A marble tombstone, clay figurines, and gold funeral wreaths from the Hellenistic era
Global awareness of the importance of returning artifacts
Culture Minister Lina Mendoni expressed her deep satisfaction with the repatriation. She highlighted that this voluntary act of returning cultural goods demonstrates a growing global awareness of the importance of returning artifacts to their place of origin.
Mendoni also called on other private collectors of Greek antiquities to follow this example and cooperate with the Ministry to return their collections. Following their documentation and registration, the antiquities will be distributed to various museums across Greece for public display.
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