Acropolis Museum Unveils Ancient Statues Unearthed from Byzantine Wall

In a remarkable archaeological discovery, two ancient statues of revered Greek deities were unearthed in 1998, embedded within a Byzantine-era wall dating back to the 11th or 12th century.

These statues, long forgotten and treated as mere stones when their associated deities were no longer worshipped, have now been restored and are on display at the Acropolis Museum.

The first statue depicts Cybele, a primordial goddess associated with nature, wildlife, fertility, and fortified cities. Seated on a throne, she holds a drum in her left hand, flanked by two lions with richly detailed manes.

The second statue represents Selene, the goddess of the moon, night, and the months of the year. Standing and leading two yoked oxen with ropes once held in her left hand, Selene was originally adorned with a crescent moon projected from her shoulders, and a cloth symbolising the night sky.

These statues, likely once used as religious or decorative pieces in a local home, now offer visitors a glimpse into the spiritual life of ancient Greece at the Excavation Museum.

(Source: Acropolis Museum)