The Archaeological Museum of the University of Münster in Germany has returned a marble head of a man, dated to around 150 CE, to Greece. The return followed concerns from researchers about the artifact’s ownership history.
During the repatriation ceremony, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni praised the agreement as a fair resolution, noting that such cases often lead to legal disputes between countries. The artifact, donated to the Münster museum by a private German collector in 1989, had an unclear provenance before being permanently added to the collection. Research confirmed the marble originated from Thasos, an island in the northern Aegean, indicating it was likely from Greece.
Director of the Münster Museum Achim Lichtenberger, expressed that the artifact is highly valuable, and its return will allow for further study alongside similar pieces. The circumstances of its removal from its original site remain unknown.
The sculpture will now be displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki.
Lichtenberger emphasized in a statement that, despite the findings, the museum follows ethical acquisition standards, reviewing its collection in line with the UNESCO 1970 Convention.
