2,000-Year-Old Greek Statue Discovered in Trash, Under Investigation

A 2,000-year-old marble statue from Greece's Hellenistic period was discovered by a 32-year-old man in a trash bag near garbage bins in Thessaloniki. The statue, which is missing its head and arms and depicts a woman's torso draped in a flowing garment, has been handed over to the local authorities for investigation. Experts have confirmed its age, dating it between 323 B.C. and 31 B.C., a time marked by significant cultural expansion following Alexander the Great's death. The Cultural Heritage Protection Office is conducting an inquiry to determine if the statue is linked to illegal artifact trafficking. Following forensic analysis, the statue will be preserved by the Ephorate of Antiquities. This incident highlights ongoing challenges related to the protection of cultural heritage in Greece.