Stories
Israel Returns 22 Ancient Artifacts to Greece in Historic Deal
- •Israel returned 22 ancient artifacts illegally removed from Greece during a ceremony at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
- •Culture Minister Lina Mendoni stated this is the first time Israel has returned antiquities to Greece, marking a new era of cultural cooperation.
- •The returned collection includes a bronze statuette and pottery dating between 700 B.C. and 320 B.C., featuring mythological scenes.
- •The repatriation aligns with Greece's broader international campaign to bring back the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum.
- •Israeli Ambassador Pninat Yanay confirmed the items were recovered through an investigation into the illegal antiquities trade.
Key Questions Answered
Israel returned 22 ancient artifacts, including a small bronze female statuette and pottery such as oil flasks, amphorae, and drinking cups featuring geometric motifs and mythological scenes. These items are provisionally dated between approximately 700 B.C. and 320 B.C.
Greece is broadening its bilateral cultural ties as part of an active campaign to secure the return of the 2,500-year-old Parthenon Marbles, which were removed from the Acropolis and are currently displayed at the British Museum in London.
While officials did not disclose specific circumstances regarding their illegal removal from Greece, the Israeli ambassador noted that the objects were recovered during an investigation conducted by Israeli authorities into the illegal antiquities trade.
