[MSN] Greece. Police unearth antiquities stash

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Police unearth antiquities stash


Giorgos Fotiadis/ANA

Roman-era sculptures found in Komotini by two men, who have been charged
with trading in illegal antiquities, are seen at Thessaloniki's police
headquarters yesterday.

Two Greeks have been charged with illegally excavating and trying to sell 23
Roman-era marble objects, weighing in excess of a ton, police in northern
Greece said yesterday.

The men, aged 41 and 26, allegedly admitted to finding the carved marble
slabs - some of which are believed to portray the ancient Greek hero
Hercules - on a construction site in Komotini and intending to sell them for
140,000 euros. It is thought to be the first time ancient objects have been
found in Komotini.

Police said they watched the pair for two months before arresting them and
unearthing the artifacts, which had allegedly been buried in a yard
belonging to the unnamed 41-year-old.

According to archaeological authorities in the region, the Roman finds could
help establish a much earlier date for the foundation of Komotini, until now
believed to have been established under the Byzantine Empire, some five
centuries after Roman times. Expert valuation of the artifacts - believed to
have formed a part of a funerary monument - and an examination of the site
where they were found are expected to yield more precise conclusions.

Hμερομηνία :  7-02-06   
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