Greek police said they had launched an investigation into a statue found by a citizen in a black plastic bag "near garbage bins" on a street in the area of Thessaloniki, Greece's second-largest city.
The anti-organised crime unit has launched a "preliminary investigation after a 32-year-old man went to police to hand over a statue he found in a black bag near garbage bins," police said in a statement quoted by AFP.
Initial estimates by the archaeological service put the headless marble statue, measuring 80x25cm, at "the Hellenistic period (323-31 BC)", the same source said.
It will be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department in northern Greece for laboratory examination and then to the Antiquities Department for evaluation and conservation, the statement concluded.
Rich in archaeological artifacts due to its history dating back to antiquity, Greece has been plagued by antiquities trafficking networks.
Various ancient objects are often discovered throughout the country during road works or on construction sites. | BGNES
