An unexpected trove of antiquities found in hidden basement of an Athens store

A trove of antiquities was found in an Athens store. The artifacts were found in an inaccessible basement area, accessible only through a hidden trapdoor in the floor of the ground floor. The trove was found during the execution of court decisions to remove former tenants from a building managed by the Greek National Gallery.

A total of 102 ancient objects were uncovered, including cups, kylixes, kantharoi, basins, lekythoi, skyphoi, and figurines, all of which fall under the provisions of archaeological legislation. The items date from the Geometric period (1100-750 BCE) to the Hellenistic period, up to 31 BCE. According to LIFO, almost all the ancient objects were concealed in this underground space.

In addition to the ancient artifacts, archaeologists discovered 36 post-Byzantine religious objects, including icons, silver fittings, a pastoral staff, and other ecclesiastical items. 3,247 coins, medals, seal stones, weights, and lead seals dating from ancient to modern times were also found, as reported by CNN Greece.

The objects were packed in old cardboard boxes, and some were wrapped in newspapers from the 1940s. The newspapers dated back to the time when the property was first leased to operate as a store selling jewelry of all kinds, watches, works of art, and related items.

Upon the discovery, the National Gallery informed the Greek Ministry of Culture about the findings.

Archaeologists from the Directorate of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods and the Numismatic Museum conducted an on-site inspection during the discovery. According to Enikos, these specialists were involved in the initial examination of the artifacts.

The Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni highlighted the significance of the artifacts for understanding ancient societies. "The documentation and study of every new cultural asset that is discovered is of essential importance for the safeguarding of our past and the understanding of ancient societies," she said.

The artifacts have been transferred for safekeeping to storage facilities of the Athens City Antiquities Service and the Numismatic Museum.

This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq