2,000-Year-Old Greek Statue Found Abandoned in a Bag Near Trash Cans: Police

Mar. 15, 2025

 2,000-year-old statue was found abandoned in a bag near trash cans, announced the Greek Police on Jan. 22, 2025.Photo:Greek Police

Greek Police

A statue dating back more than 2,000 years was allegedly found in a black bag near garbage bins in a part of the Greek city of Thessaloniki.

In a Wednesday, Jan. 22 press release, theGreek Policesaid that a 32-year-old man went to the Thermaikos Crime Investigation and Prosecution Department on Saturday, Jan. 18, and handed over a bag containing the statue.

The Greek Police added that an archaeologist from Ephorate of Antiquities was alerted about the discovery. The archaeologist examined the find and “concluded that it falls under the relevant legislation.”

The Greek Police also said that the ancient statue will be handed over to the Forensic Investigations Sub-Directorate of Northern Greece for laboratory examination. It will then be transferred to Ephorate of Antiquities for safekeeping and study.

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A 2,000-year-old Greek statue.: Greek Police

Greek Police

According to the authorities, the statue is from theHellenistic period, which covers between 323 B.C. and 30 B.C.

The loose drapery on the statue appears to indicate that it depicts a goddess, according to Estelle Strazdins, a classical studies expert at the Australian National University in Canberra,The Washington Postreported.

“The fact that it is marble suggests that it was probably dedicated in a temple,” Strazdins further told the newspaper. “Because of the size — around 30 inches — it would not be the main statue in the sanctuary, but it might be a gift that someone has given to the god either to thank them for something or in the hopes of getting some kind of grant.”

CNNreported that authorities launched an investigation to figure out who abandoned the statue. A man was briefly detained for questioning but was later released without charges, added the outlet.

PEOPLE contacted the Greek Police for additional information on Thursday, Jan. 23.

source: people.com