A remarkable discovery near Thessaloniki, Greece, has archaeologists buzzing. A marble statue, believed to be over two millennia old, was found discarded in a garbage bag. A local resident stumbled upon the headless, 31-inch statue next to a trash bin in Neoi Epivates and promptly alerted authorities. Experts believe the statue dates back to the Hellenistic period (circa 320-30 BC), a time of significant artistic and cultural growth following Alexander the Great's conquests.
The statue has been sent for further analysis by archaeologists and will eventually be entrusted to the local antiquities authority for preservation and research. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the statue's disposal and briefly questioned a man who was later released without charges. Such serendipitous archaeological finds are not unusual in Greece, a nation rich in ancient history. These discoveries often occur during construction projects or public works. Recently, in December, a Roman-era statue of Hermes was unearthed during natural gas pipeline installation near Athens. Thessaloniki itself recently showcased a collection of antiquities unearthed during the construction of its metro system. These artifacts, spanning Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras, are now on display in the city's subway stations.
