Authorities in Greece made a macabre discovery during a raid on the home of a 77-year-old man under investigation for antiquities smuggling, where they uncovered a preserved human fetus in a jar along with a significant haul of ancient artifacts.
The man was arrested by the Organized Crime Division and faces multiple charges, including violations of Greece’s strict laws protecting cultural heritage, disobedience, and embezzlement.
Seized artifacts—along with human fetus in jar—and prior offenses of man arrested in Athens, Greece
The search of the suspect’s residence yielded a total of 39 ancient or possibly ancient artifacts. These included various marble and clay items, such as:
- Vessels, heads, and figurines
- Cups, an amphora, and a wine jug (oenochoe)
- Ladles, ostraca (pottery shards with writing), and a stone fragment
This was not the suspect’s first brush with the law. He had a prior conviction related to his antiquities collection, having refused to surrender sixteen items deemed by the Archaeological Service to be of significant scientific and artistic value. His license for possession was consequently revoked, but he continued to withhold the objects.
The 77-year-old has been brought before the prosecutor. Investigators are now focused on establishing the authenticity and origins of the seized items—including the disturbing fetus in the jar.
Related: Greece Repatriates 86 Ancient Artifacts From a Private Collection
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