Ancient Greek Statue Sparks Time Travel Theories with Laptop-Like Object

An ancient Greek statue of a woman seemingly using a laptop has sparked online theories about time travel.

Titled "Grave Naiskos of an Enthroned Woman with an Attendant," the 37-inch marble sculpture, dating back to around 1000 BC, shows a woman opening an object resembling an attendant's laptop. The item features two surfaces at a 90-degree angle, resembling a modern laptop, and has two holes in its side, leading some to speculate it could be a USB port or headphone jack—prompting wild theories about time travel.

The unusual depiction has led many to believe the ancient Greeks might have travelled through time. However, according to the Getty Collection, the object has a more plausible explanation.

The item the woman is interacting with is a shadow box used in ancient Greek funerary practices. The statue shows a deceased woman reaching for the shadow box held by her attendant, a common motif in Greek funerary art. The attendant's identity—whether a grieving family member, servant, or enslaved person—is unclear, but the Getty Collection notes the woman was likely from a wealthy family.

The supposed USB-like holes, the Getty explains, are remnants of an ancient repair, possibly metal pins that held a now-missing marble piece in place. The thinness of the box indicates the relief was intended not as a literal representation but as a symbolic display of the deceased's status and wealth.

Despite the intriguing appearance, the statue does not offer evidence of time travel.

The sculpture is displayed at the Getty Villa in Los Angeles, California.