Ancient Greek Vases Return Home from Switzerland

Two ancient Greek marble vases, once part of Athenian graves over 2,000 years ago, including one depicting a poignant family scene, have been repatriated to Greece from Switzerland.

Greece's Culture Ministry announced on Tuesday that these artefacts, adorned with relief sculptures and dating back to the 4th century B.C., have finally returned after a prolonged legal battle.

Both vases, measuring 60 centimetres and 54 centimetres in height, respectively, bear signs of damage with missing necks and parts of their bases. Originally discovered in Basel, Switzerland, in 2002 during a joint raid by Italian and Swiss authorities on an antiquities dealer's warehouse, they depict intricate plant motifs and a touching farewell scene between an elderly man, his son in Athenian military attire, and his wife.

Despite being clandestinely unearthed and unlawfully exported, the exact locations of their original graves near Athens remain unknown. Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni emphasized that the retrieval of looted antiquities from abroad is a key priority for the ministry, citing numerous successful repatriations in recent years.

Following complex legal proceedings spanning over six years, the vases were handed over to Greek authorities on June 26 after diplomatic negotiations, paving the way for their eventual display at a museum featuring artefacts from the Kerameikos, Athens' principal ancient cemetery.

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