Repatriation of Middle Byzantine Architectural Fragment to Greece

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: Features a spiralling vine design with half leaves in the gaps.

Provenance
This artifact comes from Acrocorinth, and its stylistic traits, particularly the detailed carving of the leaves, affirm its connection to architectural elements from Ancient Corinth, specifically the Frankish District.

Return Process
In spring 2022, a German citizen who inherited the fragment reached out to the Greek General Consulate in Frankfurt, expressing her desire to return the ancient piece to its homeland. The consulate collaborated with the Directorate of Documentation and Protection of Cultural Goods to facilitate the return.

Increasing Trend of Returns
The voluntary return of this architectural fragment reflects a growing trend among German citizens to return cultural property. This movement emphasizes the importance of preserving cultural heritage and returning artifacts to their rightful countries, supported by various initiatives at both national and international levels.

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