Recently, a German woman voluntarily returned the top of an ancient column stolen from Greece more than half a century ago, allowing this 2400-year-old Greek architectural artifact to be back in its homeland. The Greek Ministry of Culture praised this return as not only an act of justice but also a model of international cultural cooperation.
According to various media reports, the artifact is a piece of Ionic Order column top, made of limestone, measuring approximately 23 cm in height and 33 cm in width. It was originally part of the Leonidaion guesthouse building in ancient Greek Olympia, dating back to the 4th century BC.
Leonidaion was the largest building in the Olympia sanctuary, surrounded by Ionic Order colonnades, used to accommodate athletes and VIPs attending the Ancient Olympic Games.
During a visit to the site in the 1960s, the German woman secretly took the column top and kept it hidden for decades. Inspired by the University of Münster’s recent returns of stolen artifacts, she decided to hand over the piece to the university, which helped facilitate its return to Greece.
Last Friday, the Greek Ministry of Culture held a handover ceremony at the Ancient Olympia Conference Center, officially receiving the artifact.
Secretary-General of the Greek Ministry of Culture, Georgios Didaskalos, remarked during the ceremony, “This is a touching moment.” He emphasized the profound significance of this return action, demonstrating that culture and history transcend borders but require cooperation, a sense of responsibility, and mutual respect.
The department also commended the German woman for her “courage and moral conscience,” stating that her actions prove that “doing the right thing is never too late.”
Dr. Torben Schreiber, the Director of the Archaeological Museum at the University of Münster, stated that they will continue to return any artifacts proven to be illegally obtained. He emphasized that doing what is right, just, or morally upright is never too late.
This marks the University of Münster’s third return of significant Greek artifacts in recent years. In 2019, the university returned the “Cup of Louis,” one of the prizes won by Louis, the champion of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The cup was later stolen in 1930 after being donated to the Athens Archaeological Museum. In 2024, the university also returned a male marble head statue from the Roman era in Thessaloniki.
Over the years, Athenian authorities have been trying to facilitate the return of antiquities without resorting to legal action.
Greek officials stated that after professional restoration, the returned column top artifact will be preserved in Ancient Olympia and exhibited to the public.