A 2,000-year-old headless marble statue has been discovered in a rubbish bag near Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city.
The 31-inch sculpture, depicting a woman in a robe, was found abandoned beside a bin in the area of Neoi Epivates on the outskirts of Thessaloniki.
The remarkable discovery adds to Greece's growing list of unexpected archaeological finds, with the ancient artwork now in the hands of antiquities experts.
A local resident who discovered the statue promptly alerted authorities about the find.
A local resident who discovered the statue promptly alerted authorities about the find
Greek Police
Local police contacted archaeologists to determine the age of the mysterious marble piece.
Following an initial assessment, experts confirmed the statue dates back to the Hellenistic era, spanning from approximately 320 to 30 BC.
Police briefly detained one individual for questioning regarding the statue's disposal, though they were later released without any charges being filed.
The Hellenistic era was a period marked by significant artistic and cultural development following Alexander the Great's conquests.
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The statue has been transferred to local antiquities authorities for preservation and further examination by archaeologists.
Police have launched an investigation to determine who discarded the ancient artwork.
Such accidental archaeological discoveries are not uncommon in Greece, a country with rich ancient heritage, where finds are frequently made during construction and public works projects.
In December, workers installing natural gas pipelines near Athens made a significant discovery, unearthing a Roman-era statue of Hermes in a brick-lined pit near the Acropolis.
The statue was discovered in a rubbish bag near Thessaloniki, Greece
Getty
Meanwhile, Thessaloniki's recently opened metro system has revealed its own treasure trove of antiquities during its decades-long construction.
The discoveries highlight Greece's continuous stream of archaeological finds, with ancient artefacts frequently emerging during modern infrastructure projects.
The metro stations across Thessaloniki now serve as unique exhibition spaces for the city's archaeological treasures.
Visitors can view a preserved marble-paved Roman thoroughfare amongst the displays.
The stations showcase tens of thousands of artefacts spanning multiple historical periods, including Greek, Byzantine, and Ottoman eras.
