African tourist vandalises ancient Greek artefacts

Greek officials have reported an unprecedented attack on an archeological museum in Macedonia, where a woman of African origin is reported to have sprayed more than 10 commemorative fixtures inside the Vergina Royal Tombs Museum, the site where the tomb of Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great is found.

According to the Imathia Antiquities Ephorate, the artefacts have not been damaged in any way by the clear oily liquid that was sprayed on them by the museum visitor.

"There was no damage to ancient objects while the fixtures of the exhibition were cleaned straight away, without the oily substance leaving any residue or traces," the announcement said, noting that the unidentified woman had sprayed the present-era stone pedestals on which the funerary stele were set and other exhibition fixtures.

"The police were informed right away and charges against person or persons unknown have been pressed. The police has been investigating the case since that time, while the security personnel on guard were cautioned and rebuked," the announcement continued.

The incident was reported in Wednesday's issue of the national daily "Vima," which said that a foreign woman visiting the museum had managed to sneak in a small spray-bottle without being seen and had sprayed a clear, oily liquid on the porous bases of more than 10 funerary stele, producing large "stains" on the display, while she also sprayed the same liquid on a large number of signs and photographs in the area.