Repatriation of Ancient Greek Column Head
A 4th-century BC Greek column head has been returned to Ancient Olympia from Germany, with a repatriation ceremony held at the Ancient Olympia Conference Center.
The column head, a fragment of an Ionic capital, originates from the Leonidaion of Ancient Olympia and was illegally removed in the 1960s. Made of limestone, it preserves some plaster and measures 24 cm in height and 33.5 cm in width.
The Leonidaion, named after its donor Leonidas of Naxos, is located outside Altes, in the southwestern part of the sanctuary of Olympia. The returned fragment shows stylistic similarities with other published Ionic capitals from the site.
According to the Ministry of Culture, the return of this precious artifact is a significant event, highlighting the importance of repatriating cultural heritage to its country of origin.
No statement was provided by the Ministry regarding the circumstances of the return.
Author's summary: Ancient Greek column head returned to Olympia.