Return of antiquities to Greece. Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture Fifteen Greek antiquities are making their way back to Greece from the United States after being illegally removed from the country, the Greek Ministry of Culture announced this week. The items were handed over to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoi at a special ceremony held in Manhattan.
With this return, the number of Greek antiquities returned since 2022 following decisions by the Manhattan prosecutor's office reaches 179. The move results from cooperation between Greek authorities and the Manhattan prosecutor's antiquities trafficking unit.
Among the finds recovered this time are a marble statuette of a woman from the Cycladic period, dated to 2700-2600 BC, a marble lid for a jewelry box, pottery from the Bronze Age, a bronze bracelet, a mirror and bronze vessels from the Classical period, and a gold pendant from the Hellenistic period. One of the most notable items is a marble head of a man from the early Roman period.
Return of antiquities to Greece. Photo: Greek Ministry of CultureOf particular importance are five military bronze items, two helmets and three shields, dating to the late 7th century BC. They were identified as part of a complex looted during an illegal excavation in Crete in 1964.
Additional items from the same excavation are currently in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, and according to a statement from the Greek Ministry of Culture, the new items will find their way to that museum.
Culture Minister Mendoni said that "any return is an act of justice towards our history," and emphasized that Greece and the United States intend to deepen cooperation against the illegal trade in antiquities."
Return of antiquities to Greece. Photo: Greek Ministry of Culture