Ancient column fragment returned to Greece
A mysterious case spanning six decades in Greece has come to an end. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
A column fragment stolen from the ancient sanctuary where the Olympic Games were held has been found and returned to its homeland. This was officially announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.
According to information, a German citizen illegally took a small piece from the ancient monument in the Olympic town during travels in the 1960s. The column fragment is crafted in the Ionian style and belongs to the Leonideon building, constructed in the second half of the 4th century BC.
The height of this architectural element is 24 centimeters, and its width is 33.5 centimeters. The Greek Ministry of Culture emphasized that the returned fragment was brought back to the homeland “due to the humanity and patriotism of a woman.”
The woman’s action was regarded as an example of sensitivity and courage. This decision was influenced by the policy of the University of Münster in Germany to return historical artifacts to Greece.
For example, in 2019, the university returned the amphorae won by Greek athlete Spiros Louis at the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896. Additionally, in 2024, a human head made of Roman marble found in a cemetery in Thessaloniki was also returned to Greece.
The Ministry of Culture stated that such events play an important role in restoring cultural heritage and returning illegally taken artifacts to their homeland. Currently, Greece is actively working to locate hundreds of historical monuments worldwide and bring them back to their country.
The rediscovery of the Olympic column is considered not only culturally significant but also a symbol of the restoration of historical justice. This event is one of the important steps in protecting the values related to the country’s history and culture.
