Ministry of Culture: Architectural fragment from the Middle Byzantine period returned from Germany

On October 15, an architectural stone fragment from the Middle Byzantine period (8th-12th century AD) was repatriated from Mainz, Germany.

• Dimensions: 0.15m (height) x 0.52m x 0.29m
• Decoration: It is adorned with a spiraling vine and half leaves in the gaps.

Provenance
The artifact originates from the Acrocorinth, and its stylistic characteristics, particularly the plasticity of the carved leaves, confirm this information, as it relates to architectural elements from Ancient Corinth, specifically the Frankish District.

Return Process

• A German citizen who inherited the fragment contacted the Greek General Consulate in Frankfurt in spring 2022, expressing her intention to return the ancient object to its country of origin.
• The consular authority collaborated with the Directorate of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods to facilitate the return of the artifact.

Increasing Trend of Returns
The voluntary return of this architectural fragment is part of a broader trend among German citizens returning cultural property. This growing awareness about the need to preserve cultural heritage and return artifacts to their rightful countries is supported by various actions at both national and international levels.

Hand Over
The architectural fragment will be handed over to the Corinthian Antiquities Ephorate.

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