Woman returns stolen Ancient Greek artifact after 50 years
A German woman returned an ancient artifact stolen from Olympia more than half a century ago; Greek officials praised it as “precision and courage”.
The limestone capital, 24 cm high and 33.5 cm wide, was discovered in the 1960s, B.C., which once hosted athletes and dignitaries in Ancient Olympia. It was taken from the Leonidaion, a guesthouse dating from the 4th century.
According to the Greek Ministry of Culture, the woman voluntarily handed over the relic to the University of Münster in Germany, where she coordinated its return.
This is the third work the university has helped return to Greece in recent years.
Greece’s Secretary General for Culture, Giorgos Didaskalou, said: “This is a particularly moving moment.
“This action proves that culture and history know no boundaries and require cooperation, responsibility and mutual respect.”
Torben Schreiber, curator of the archaeological museum at the University of Münster, added: “It is never too late to do what is right, what is moral and what is just.”
The return follows the university’s previous returns, including a double-handled wine glass linked to the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 and a Roman-era marble head from Thessalonica.
Greece continues to press for the return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum, arguing that such goodwill gestures demonstrate the growing importance of cultural restoration.
